Israel's Mossad spy agency is seeking to hire a crypto expert

Israel's national intelligence agency, Mossad, has posted a job listing for an expert in cryptocurrencies with at least three years of experience in the fintech space.

The candidate should have “in-depth technological understanding and expertise in the world of fintech, e-commerce, DEF and digital currencies,” according to the outlined requirements. 

The role’s description succinctly indicates that it includes “leading, initiating, planning and accompanying systems development activities” — sufficiently open for local media to proffer its own interpretation of what the Mossad may be seeking a crypto expert for.

Major Israeli news site Ynet, for example, has claimed that Mossad is likely to be interested in using cryptocurrencies for making anonymous payments to its agents or for the purchase of equipment.

Much of the Israeli state’s recent crypto-related involvement has centered on Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies’ popularity with the militant wing of Hamas, the de facto ruling authority of the Gaza Strip in Palestine. In recent years, the organization, which is classified as a terrorist organization in whole or in part, by several countries, has attempted to combat its financial isolation by using crypto for its fundraising campaigns on social media. 

Related: Report: Analysts Identify Trail of Bitcoin Donations to Gaza’s Ruling Group Hamas

Last month, Israeli defense minister Benny Ganz signed an order authorizing Israeli security forces to seize cryptocurrency accounts believed to be tied to Hamas’ militant wing, after the organization had reportedly accelerated its crypto fundraising efforts in the aftermath of the devastation of the Gaza strip this May.

According to an ICD-ICT report published last year, wallets allegedly tied to both Hamas and the Iran-affiliated al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades had succeeded in raising almost 3,370 BTC over a four-year period.