Jess Davis
@jessmarindavis.bsky.social
PhD. Social scientist and entrepreneur combining research and practice. Illicit finance expert, newsletter writer, consultant. Working to stop bad people from doing bad things with money. Co-host of Secure Line podcast.
This is one to watch. As political listings become politicized, challenges to them become increasingly important in democracies. What happens here will likely inform efforts in other jurisdictions.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
Palestine Action cofounder to challenge group’s proscription in UK court
Huda Ammori calls into question the pro-Palestine group’s ban under ‘antiterrorism’ laws.
www.aljazeera.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This is one to watch. As political listings become politicized, challenges to them become increasingly important in democracies. What happens here will likely inform efforts in other jurisdictions.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
This article, while a bit 'nose in the air' for me (hehe) does make some good points. But best of all, it introduces me to the term 'pull a Kennedy', which is to walk around barefoot on a plane.
apple.news/AP2jnJkCzToy...
apple.news/AP2jnJkCzToy...
How Americans turned flying into a cesspool — The Times and The Sunday Times
On my last trip back from Mexico City in 2020, a passenger pulled what is now known in some circles as “a Kennedy”. Sitting in the first row of first class on a US airline was an American man, dressed...
apple.news
November 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
This article, while a bit 'nose in the air' for me (hehe) does make some good points. But best of all, it introduces me to the term 'pull a Kennedy', which is to walk around barefoot on a plane.
apple.news/AP2jnJkCzToy...
apple.news/AP2jnJkCzToy...
Reposted by Jess Davis
New from me: How a former Olympic snowboarder and his accomplices allegedly used the stablecoin tether to launder the proceeds of a sprawling drug trafficking empire www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
Ryan Wedding organization allegedly used cryptocurrency to launder drug money
U.S. prosecutors say ex-Olympian used ‘sophisticated Tether network’ to move proceeds of sprawling drug-trafficking operation
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:52 PM
New from me: How a former Olympic snowboarder and his accomplices allegedly used the stablecoin tether to launder the proceeds of a sprawling drug trafficking empire www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
According to the complaint, "Binance intentionally structured itself as a refuge for illicit activity,...To this day, there is no indication that Binance has meaningfully altered its core business model."
apple.news/A_S1tYAdTQ_y...
apple.news/A_S1tYAdTQ_y...
Hamas attack victims sue Binance for allegedly allowing payments to militant group — Reuters
Victims of Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel sued Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao, accusing them of facilitating millions of dollars in payments to the group and other U.S.-designated terror...
apple.news
November 25, 2025 at 11:59 AM
According to the complaint, "Binance intentionally structured itself as a refuge for illicit activity,...To this day, there is no indication that Binance has meaningfully altered its core business model."
apple.news/A_S1tYAdTQ_y...
apple.news/A_S1tYAdTQ_y...
And thus begins my annual "unsubscribe from this email" pilgrimage.
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
And thus begins my annual "unsubscribe from this email" pilgrimage.
"Mr. Wedding’s wallets have indirect ties to Chinese chemical manufacturers, as well as close connections to wallets linked to cartels."
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
Ryan Wedding organization allegedly used cryptocurrency to launder drug money
U.S. prosecutors say ex-Olympian used ‘sophisticated Tether network’ to move proceeds of sprawling drug-trafficking operation
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
"Mr. Wedding’s wallets have indirect ties to Chinese chemical manufacturers, as well as close connections to wallets linked to cartels."
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
If you're looking to learn more about how Al Shabaab finances its activities, look no further! We have a series for you from Insight Monitor:
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/tracking-t...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/tracking-t...
Tracking Terrorist Financing: A Series on Al-Shabaab
Group Profile
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:28 PM
If you're looking to learn more about how Al Shabaab finances its activities, look no further! We have a series for you from Insight Monitor:
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/tracking-t...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/tracking-t...
I had to go over to the other place and watch this video, because clearly this has to be a misrepresentation of what happened.
Reader, it is not.
Reader, it is not.
November 22, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I had to go over to the other place and watch this video, because clearly this has to be a misrepresentation of what happened.
Reader, it is not.
Reader, it is not.
Convoys gotta convoy.
In case you’re wondering:
The key people behind tomorrow’s planned nationwide Ostrich Convoy include an aging Burning Man attendee who drives a psychedelic school bus called the “Church of Bubbles” and a Dutch-born Gen Z social media marketer who imports maple syrup to Utrecht, Netherlands
The key people behind tomorrow’s planned nationwide Ostrich Convoy include an aging Burning Man attendee who drives a psychedelic school bus called the “Church of Bubbles” and a Dutch-born Gen Z social media marketer who imports maple syrup to Utrecht, Netherlands
Leaders of Canada’s Newest Convoy Worry Police Are Trying to Sabotage a Nationwide Protest Avenging a Flock of Dead Ostriches
Convoy organizers say they are at ‘war’ with the federal government, but insist they will remain ‘peaceful’
pressprogress.ca
November 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Convoys gotta convoy.
From the Insight Monitor archives (and bookclub!) here's a book worth reading this weekend to understand how the US government is deploying financial chokepoints, but also how this could hasten its demise and fray relations with partners & allies.
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/chokepoint...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/chokepoint...
Chokepoints: How the Global Economy Becomes a Weapon of War
The Insight Monitor Book Club
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:56 AM
From the Insight Monitor archives (and bookclub!) here's a book worth reading this weekend to understand how the US government is deploying financial chokepoints, but also how this could hasten its demise and fray relations with partners & allies.
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/chokepoint...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/chokepoint...
"The United States, Australia and Britain announced coordinated sanctions on Wednesday against Russia-based web company Media Land, accusing it of supporting ransomware operations."
Wouldn't it be nice if Canada could join the club too?
apple.news/AxanwV2baRoS...
Wouldn't it be nice if Canada could join the club too?
apple.news/AxanwV2baRoS...
US, UK and Australia sanction Russian cyber firms over ransomware links — Reuters
The United States, Australia and Britain announced coordinated sanctions on Wednesday against Russia-based web company Media Land, accusing it of supporting ransomware operations.
apple.news
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
"The United States, Australia and Britain announced coordinated sanctions on Wednesday against Russia-based web company Media Land, accusing it of supporting ransomware operations."
Wouldn't it be nice if Canada could join the club too?
apple.news/AxanwV2baRoS...
Wouldn't it be nice if Canada could join the club too?
apple.news/AxanwV2baRoS...
"Expanding this sort of digital currency system to other regimes could allow China to chip away at U.S. financial dominance by creating a parallel system immune to Western sanctions."
www.wsj.com/opinion/chin...
www.wsj.com/opinion/chin...
Opinion | China’s Myanmar Project Could End U.S. Sanctions
The digital currency would operate outside Swift but still have access to American banks.
www.wsj.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
"Expanding this sort of digital currency system to other regimes could allow China to chip away at U.S. financial dominance by creating a parallel system immune to Western sanctions."
www.wsj.com/opinion/chin...
www.wsj.com/opinion/chin...
Hizballah member "Fadel Z purchased materials and parts for drones worth some €1.4m ($1.62 million), ...over 2,000 gasoline and electric motors and over 600 propellers. Parts were purchased from companies in Europe, China, and the US."
www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-man...
www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-man...
Lebanese man goes on trial in Germany for supplying Hezbollah with drone parts
Defendant accused of providing thousands of components, including some used in 2024 strike on retirement home in Herzliya
www.timesofisrael.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Hizballah member "Fadel Z purchased materials and parts for drones worth some €1.4m ($1.62 million), ...over 2,000 gasoline and electric motors and over 600 propellers. Parts were purchased from companies in Europe, China, and the US."
www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-man...
www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-man...
It doesn't surprise me at all to learn that the head of Hamas's investment office might be Canadian. As @mattlevitt.bsky.social notes, our passports are very useful.
globalnews.ca/news/1152711...
globalnews.ca/news/1152711...
The Canadians in Hamas: The operative, leader and financier - National | Globalnews.ca
About 450 people with assorted roles in Hamas have ties to Canada, Global News has learned.
globalnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 11:38 AM
It doesn't surprise me at all to learn that the head of Hamas's investment office might be Canadian. As @mattlevitt.bsky.social notes, our passports are very useful.
globalnews.ca/news/1152711...
globalnews.ca/news/1152711...
Reposted by Jess Davis
"Canada does not have the luxury of being able to avoid hard foreign policy decisions, as it had until recently. All too comfortable with the tremendous security and economic benefits we derived from close relations with the US, we became complacent"
My new op-ed in The Globe and Mail today: Canada badly needs to diversify its trade and security partnerships - and this should include deeper ties with the UAE and other Gulf states.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canada will need to consider growing its relations with non-democratic Gulf States
We do not have the luxury of ignoring hard foreign policy decisions
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
"Canada does not have the luxury of being able to avoid hard foreign policy decisions, as it had until recently. All too comfortable with the tremendous security and economic benefits we derived from close relations with the US, we became complacent"
Terrorism peace bond upgraded to charges in PEI.
Includes facilitation and 3d printed firearms
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Includes facilitation and 3d printed firearms
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
P.E.I. man facing what police say are 1st terrorism charges laid in Atlantic Canada | CBC News
A North Rustico, P.E.I., man already under a terrorism peace bond is now facing what police say are the first terrorism charges ever laid in Atlantic Canada.
www.cbc.ca
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Terrorism peace bond upgraded to charges in PEI.
Includes facilitation and 3d printed firearms
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Includes facilitation and 3d printed firearms
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ICYMI yesterday, our roundup of all the terrorist financing news from last month is here! From the massive bust in terrorism financing networks by Interpol and Afripol to the use of Bitcoin, PayPal, GoFundMe, and Western Union...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
Global Terrorism Financing Report
October 2025
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
ICYMI yesterday, our roundup of all the terrorist financing news from last month is here! From the massive bust in terrorism financing networks by Interpol and Afripol to the use of Bitcoin, PayPal, GoFundMe, and Western Union...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
Has Hizballah been using Tether to finance its operations? This development is both plausible and interesting. Hezbollah has been known to use cryptocurrency for some operational and organizational financing, but perhaps the least of all the groups in Iran's Axis of Resistance.
Financement du Hezbollah : les cryptomonnaies sont, à leur tour, dans le viseur américain
L'article explore comment le Hezbollah utilise les cryptomonnaies, en particulier le Tether, pour financer ses opérations, et l'attention des autorités américaines sur ce phénomène.
www.lorientlejour.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Has Hizballah been using Tether to finance its operations? This development is both plausible and interesting. Hezbollah has been known to use cryptocurrency for some operational and organizational financing, but perhaps the least of all the groups in Iran's Axis of Resistance.
If you haven't heard of the Com network (aka 764), I'm sorry to do this. But you have to read this. It's the stuff of nightmares and makes me miss the glory days of ISIS and all their depravity.
abcnews.go.com/US/modern-da...
abcnews.go.com/US/modern-da...
'Modern day terrorism': How the online extremist network 764 is threatening teen lives
Authorities are working to crack down on 764, a loose-knit network of young online predators that many Americans have never even heard of.
abcnews.go.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If you haven't heard of the Com network (aka 764), I'm sorry to do this. But you have to read this. It's the stuff of nightmares and makes me miss the glory days of ISIS and all their depravity.
abcnews.go.com/US/modern-da...
abcnews.go.com/US/modern-da...
Reposted by Jess Davis
🚨🗞Today's Insight Monitor is out! We've got all the terrorist financing news from around the world in our monthly summary. Only for subscribers:
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
Global Terrorism Financing Report
October 2025
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
🚨🗞Today's Insight Monitor is out! We've got all the terrorist financing news from around the world in our monthly summary. Only for subscribers:
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
🚨🗞Today's Insight Monitor is out! We've got all the terrorist financing news from around the world in our monthly summary. Only for subscribers:
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
Global Terrorism Financing Report
October 2025
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
🚨🗞Today's Insight Monitor is out! We've got all the terrorist financing news from around the world in our monthly summary. Only for subscribers:
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/global-ter...
This was a great chat, and if you want a guide to understanding the massive terrorist financing report from the FATF, this is for you! We unpack all the ways it can help researchers, policy analysts, investigators, and more. Have a listen!
💥 How useful is the FATF Terrorist Financing Typologies Report?
Host @keatingetom.bsky.social, along with CFS Associate Fellows @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and Stephen Reimer discuss.
Apple: bit.ly/483VnwS
Spotify: bit.ly/4i6AMwE
Host @keatingetom.bsky.social, along with CFS Associate Fellows @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and Stephen Reimer discuss.
Apple: bit.ly/483VnwS
Spotify: bit.ly/4i6AMwE
November 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
This was a great chat, and if you want a guide to understanding the massive terrorist financing report from the FATF, this is for you! We unpack all the ways it can help researchers, policy analysts, investigators, and more. Have a listen!
One must pay tribute to the kleptocrat in chief if one wants tariffs removed:
(This is terrible policy and will encourage global corruption. This will also work. And it is not a strategy Canada can readily employ because Canadians would be LIVID.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
(This is terrible policy and will encourage global corruption. This will also work. And it is not a strategy Canada can readily employ because Canadians would be LIVID.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
US agrees deal to slash Swiss tariffs to 15% after golden charm offensive
Under the deal, Donald Trump's 39% tariffs will be cut and Switzerland will invest $200bn (£150bn) in the US.
www.bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:54 AM
One must pay tribute to the kleptocrat in chief if one wants tariffs removed:
(This is terrible policy and will encourage global corruption. This will also work. And it is not a strategy Canada can readily employ because Canadians would be LIVID.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
(This is terrible policy and will encourage global corruption. This will also work. And it is not a strategy Canada can readily employ because Canadians would be LIVID.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A really important read for anyone in the AML/CFT / crypto space. Yes, these exchanges are regulated. Do they always follow the rules? No.
It's likely that the least of the offences is not verifying identity (as the case of the Toronto exchange).
www.icij.org/investigatio...
It's likely that the least of the offences is not verifying identity (as the case of the Toronto exchange).
www.icij.org/investigatio...
From Dubai to Toronto, inside the crypto-to-cash storefronts fueling money laundering’s new frontier
These shadowy operations have made it easier than ever to move dirty money around the world. One man is on a mission to expose them.
www.icij.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:36 AM
A really important read for anyone in the AML/CFT / crypto space. Yes, these exchanges are regulated. Do they always follow the rules? No.
It's likely that the least of the offences is not verifying identity (as the case of the Toronto exchange).
www.icij.org/investigatio...
It's likely that the least of the offences is not verifying identity (as the case of the Toronto exchange).
www.icij.org/investigatio...
Far-right group offering online training course that "can be purchased using a cryptocurrency wallet it uses for fundraising".
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Far-right group with links to neo-Nazi leader offers online military training
Experts say Observations Group’s connections to the Base and Rinaldo Nazzaro present ‘urgent danger’
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Far-right group offering online training course that "can be purchased using a cryptocurrency wallet it uses for fundraising".
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...