The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned Russian cybersecurity firm Operation Zero and its director, Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk, for allegedly using cryptocurrency to fund the theft of U.S. trade secrets. The sanctions also target five individuals linked to cyberattacks threatening U.S. national security. This action follows a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. Australian citizen Peter Williams admitted to stealing proprietary software from his U.S. defense contractor employer and providing classified information to Operation Zero in exchange for cryptocurrency. Williams has pleaded guilty to two counts of trade secret theft. Operation Zero is accused of trading exploit tools and rewarding individuals for cyberattacks through a bounty system. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting sensitive technologies and national security.