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A Manhattan jury on Thursday found an Upper East Side woman guilty of funding terrorism after she used cryptocurrency to send financial support to several groups operating in Syria.

The woman, Victoria Jacobs, 44, was accused by the Manhattan district attorneys office last year of having provided more than $5,000 to Malhama Tactical, a military contractor that has been called the Blackwater of jihad. The group fought alongside Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group designated a terrorist organization by the State Department.

The conviction comes amid a debate between champions of cryptocurrency, who see the technology as an alternative to regulated finance, and skeptics who have pointed out its frequent use in fraud and other crimes. Federal judges are considering lawsuits by the nations top securities regulator against some of the cryptocurrency industrys largest firms, which could curtail the technologys use in this country.

Ms. Jacobss trial opened on Jan. 16 and lasted about two weeks. The jury found her guilty of three felony counts of providing support for an act of terrorism, as well as conspiracy, money laundering and criminal possession of a weapon. She faces up to 25 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 3.

The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, has said that the case is the first time that terrorism funding has been prosecuted in New York State Supreme Court. The conviction is a notable win for Mr. Bragg, a month before he is scheduled to begin the biggest trial of his career, that of former President Donald J. Trump.

We will not allow Manhattan to serve as a base for terrorism at home or overseas, Mr. Bragg said in a statement, praising his prosecutors for winning the first-of-its-kind case.

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Manhattan Woman Convicted of Using Crypto to Fund Terror Groups in Syria - The New York Times