Bitcoin May Have Financed Pro-Trump Capitol Riot: Reports

A French donor paid more than $500,000 in Bitcoin to "far-right activists and internet personalities" who took part in the pro-Trump DC riot last week, according to Chainalysis.

In brief

• A foreign account transferred half a million in Bitcoin to those who took part in the capitol riot last week, according to reports.
• Chainalysis believes the source of the funds was a French donor.
• Police and intelligence agencies are investigating, Yahoo News reports.

Bitcoin may have played a role in financing the January 6 riot at the Capitol, according to new research from blockchain data company Chainalysis.

In the days since hundreds of violent Trump supporters made their way into the seat of government, new information has emerged suggesting the riot was premeditated.

Now, Chainalysis reports that, on December 8, a donor sent 28.15 BTC, or around approximately $522,000 at the time it was transferred, to 22 separate addresses, many of which belonged to "far-right activists and internet personalities" who were present at the Capitol. The news was first reported by Yahoo News.

White nationalist Nick Fuentes—who was at the capitol at the time of the riot—was among the recipients, as was white supremacist publisher Daily Stormer.

Gab, the free speech-oriented social platform that’s received criticism for becoming a safe space for hate speech, also received some Bitcoin, according to the report.

Federal intelligence agencies and law enforcement are investigating the source of funds, which the research firm believes came from a "now-deceased computer programmer based in France."

The firm also dug up a handle associated with the Bitcoin address: pankkake.

Chainalysis’ report post points to a suicide note from the French donor, dated December 9—the day after the Bitcoin was transferred. “Western civilization is declining," the note reportedly stated, before offering an explanation as for why he transferred the Bitcoin.

“I care about what happens after my death,” he wrote. “That’s why I decided to leave my modest wealth to certain causes and people.”

Editor's note: This story and its headline was updated after publication to provide further details and clarity.