Terror groups may turn to NFTs to raise funds and spread messages: WSJ

News • 2022/09/05 • by
remitano

Key Takeaways

  • A new development involving an IS-NEWS #01 NFT has caused national security specialists to express worry.
  • It is the first time a supporter of terrorism has generated and disseminated an NFT.

A new development involving an IS-NEWS #01 NFT has caused national security specialists to express worry. It is the first time a supporter of terrorism has generated and disseminated an NFT. A terrorist sympathizer created and distributed the first nonfungible token, which has sparked worries and suspicions that terrorist organizations may be able to exploit the blockchain to their advantage to spread indoctrination and information.

Insightful professionals have begun to make predictions about the new NFT, speculating that terrorist organizations like the Islamic State may exploit this new advancement in blockchain technology to easily raise money, circumvent sanctions, and carry out other import and export transactions to support their terrorist campaign.

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Terror groups may turn to NFTs to raise funds and spread messages: WSJ

Raphael Gluck, one of the founders of the American research company Jihadoscope, was the one who uncovered the newly created NFT. Following the extensive study, he discovered this specific NFT via a social media account that supported ISIS.The new digital currency is known as IS-NEWS #1. The Islamic state insignia is purportedly on this token. Additionally, it contains words that praise the assault that the Afghani jihadists launched against the Taliban's position.

According to Mario Cosby, the Islamic state produced two more NFTs. He added that these two NFTs were created on August 26th, one depicting Islamic State warriors teaching kids how to construct explosives and the other depicting the condemnation of smoking cigarettes.


Source: The Wall Street Journal

Experts believe this might be an indication that terrorist organizations are experimenting with new techniques to convey their message and trying out new financial tactics. The new NFT was listed on the NFT marketplace OpenSea, but according to sources, it was quickly removed by the firm, along with the accounts of the authors, declaring the company's zero-tolerance for promoting hate and violence.

Before being pulled down, the trio of NFTs was allegedly also accessible on Rarible as well as other NFT platforms. Cosby noted that the discovery shouldn't be overlooked since it is a matter of concern, even though they have all been removed with no evidence of it being traded.

Security professionals have previously expressed concerns about newly developed technology, claiming that these technologies may be used by terrorist organizations to raise funds for a succession of assaults. The U.S. Treasury Department released a report in February that outlined the expansion of the NFT sector as a possible source of worry.

Additionally, in March, Israeli officials seized over thirty cryptocurrency wallets linked to Hamas, a militant organization operating in the Gaza Strip. Twelve exchange accounts provided the thirty crypto wallets.

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