Cryptomus / Xeltox Enterprises Ltd.
Summary
Cryptomus is a cryptocurrency payment processor and exchange operated by Xeltox Enterprises Ltd., a company incorporated in British Columbia, Canada. In October 2025, Canada's financial intelligence unit FINTRAC imposed a record C$176.96 million (approximately US$126 million) administrative penalty against Xeltox for 2,593 violations of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, citing failures to report transactions linked to child sexual abuse material, ransomware payments, fraud, and Iran sanctions evasion. Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs further assessed with high confidence that Cryptomus launched a successor platform, Heleket, shortly after implementing mandatory KYC controls, allegedly to continue facilitating illicit activity under a separate brand.
Connected Entities
1 entitiesTimeline(11 events)
2022-01-01
Cryptomus platform begins operations. TRM Labs later documents hundreds of millions in transactions associated with illicit actors between 2022 and 2025.
TRM Labs Intel Library2024-07-01
During July 2024, Cryptomus fails to file 1,068 suspicious transaction reports and 1,518 large virtual currency transaction reports — the primary basis for the FINTRAC penalty.
FINTRAC Official Press Release2024-07-01
Between July and December 2024, Cryptomus fails to report 7,557 transactions originating from Iran and fails to comply with a Ministerial Directive on Iran-related transactions.
CBC News2025-01-01
Heleket, alleged successor platform to Cryptomus, launches. On January 16, 2025, Heleket receives initial funding from sanctioned Russian exchange Garantex.
TRM Labs — Cryptomus Likely Behind Launch of Heleket2025-02-01
Cryptomus implements mandatory KYC controls. On-chain transaction volume begins declining from approximately US$150 million per month as illicit actors reportedly migrate to Heleket.
TRM Labs — Cryptomus Likely Behind Launch of Heleket2025-03-01
FINTRAC conducts an examination of Xeltox/Cryptomus. Representatives communicate from Spain and Uzbekistan, confirming no Canadian employees.
The Tyee — Vancouver Crypto Exchange Fined a Record $177 Million2025-05-20
BC Securities Commission issues a temporary order prohibiting Cryptomus from trading securities or derivatives and engaging in promotional activities in British Columbia, citing unregistered exchange operation.
BC Securities Commission News Release2025-10-16
FINTRAC issues the C$176,960,190 administrative monetary penalty against Xeltox Enterprises Ltd. — the largest in the regulator's history.
FINTRAC Official Press Release2025-10-22
FINTRAC publicly announces the penalty. Director Sarah Paquet attributes violations to CSAM trafficking, fraud, ransomware payments, and sanctions evasion. CBC, Globe and Mail, Krebs on Security, and other outlets report the action.
FINTRAC Official Press Release2025-11-14
Xeltox Enterprises files a notice of appeal in Federal Court, arguing FINTRAC erred in treating Xeltox and Cryptomus as the same entity and claiming violations were committed by foreign licensees of Panama-based Padel West S.A.
Globe and Mail — Cryptocurrency firm appeals $176-million fine by FinTRAC2026-05-21
South Korean exchange Bithumb freezes transfers to and from Heleket over AML and terrorism financing concerns, citing the platform's alleged connection to Cryptomus and Garantex.
Crypto Times — Bithumb Freezes Heleket Transfers Over Money Laundering, Terror LinksDecision Log
- #1publish⛓ pending8/10/2026, 5:06:01 PMhash: GqFMGtdgLa2gHJqzKA8iwFsf4cKc91TarzKsg49PnBGV
14 of 14 cited source URLs have an Internet Archive snapshot.
model: claude-sonnet-4-6
generated: 8/10/2026, 5:05:42 PM
last updated: 8/10/2026, 8:59:20 PM
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