The US Justice Department is investigating a former ransomware negotiator accused of colluding with hackers to profit from cryptocurrency payments made to extortionists. DigitalMint President Marc Grens confirmed that the individual, a former employee, was terminated immediately upon the allegations surfacing. DigitalMint, based in Chicago, aids victims in negotiating and making payments to hackers, and is not under investigation itself, as stated by Grens. The firm has been cooperating with law enforcement and acted quickly to safeguard its clients' interests. A report from Coveware indicates a decline in ransom payments, with only 25% of companies complying with extortion demands in early 2024, down from 85% in early 2019. This trend suggests improvements in cybersecurity and a growing reluctance to fund cybercriminals, possibly influenced by increased law enforcement actions and regulatory guidance. Additionally, the US Treasury recently sanctioned the Russia-based Aeza Group for its involvement in ransomware activities, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime. Read more AI-generated news on: https://app.chaingpt.org/news