sanctions

According to CoinDesk, the UK has imposed sanctions on 18 entities and individuals accused of assisting Russia in evading Western restrictions and funding its war in Ukraine, including the cryptocurrency exchange Huobi Global S.A. (operator of HTX) and the stablecoin issuer Open Joint Stock Company "Virtual Asset Issuer."This is the first time the UK has applied Regulation 17A, which targets sanctioned banks, to cryptocurrency exchanges, requiring UK financial institutions and cryptocurrency service providers to freeze relevant funds, track on-chain transactions, and not maintain agency relationships or process payments related to sanctioned entities. The sanctions primarily target the A7 payment network.According to the official announcement from Huobi HTX, the sanctioned "Huobi Global S.A." and the online Huobi HTX exchange are independent entities, and this sanction will not affect the online Huobi HTX exchange. Currently, Huobi HTX's global operations are normal, and user funds are safe and secure.

According to Jinshi reports, the latest sanctions imposed by the UK on Russia target the cryptocurrency networks used to evade UK sanctions.

The WSJ reported that Binance is accused of processing approximately $850 million in transactions related to financial networks associated with Iranian sanctions over two years, ultimately flowing to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran. In response, Binance CEO Richard Teng posted on the X platform denying the related reports, stating that the reports are "completely inaccurate," emphasizing that Binance does not allow sanctioned entities to trade, and indicating that the suspicious activities occurred before the involved entities were sanctioned by the U.S.The report mentioned that the key figure is Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani, whose related companies and associated accounts are alleged to have operated through the same device, forming a secret payment network on the Binance platform. The report also stated that Binance's internal compliance system had identified abnormal access from Tehran by the end of 2024, triggering multiple risk control alerts, but the related accounts were not closed in a timely manner. The WSJ further pointed out that the Central Bank of Iran and related entities also conducted fund flows through Binance between 2024 and 2025, including approximately $107 million and other cross-border cryptocurrency transactions.Binance reiterated that its compliance system is "industry-leading" and emphasized that it has continued to strengthen its risk control mechanisms after pleading guilty and paying a $4.3 billion settlement in 2023. Additionally, Binance has filed a defamation lawsuit against the WSJ regarding the related reports and denied that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating it on this matter.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has proposed a new regulation to establish Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and sanctions compliance standards for stablecoin issuers under its supervision. The new regulation requires stablecoin issuing institutions to comply with all applicable regulations related to anti-money laundering / counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT), economic sanctions programs, and reporting requirements, including those issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The rule will also establish regulatory and enforcement provisions for AML/CFT programs in accordance with FinCEN's requirements. The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced new regulations aimed at establishing Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and sanctions compliance standards for stablecoin issuers under its supervision. According to the requirements of the GENIUS Act, U.S. federal banking regulators must develop a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers.Previously, the FDIC proposed two rules concerning the process for bank subsidiaries to apply to become stablecoin issuers, as well as capital, liquidity, and risk management requirements. The latest proposal further requires stablecoin issuers to comply with anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), economic sanctions, and related reporting obligations, including those established by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, the FDIC plans to establish a supervisory and enforcement mechanism for AML/CFT programs. The proposal will be open for a 60-day public comment period after its publication in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against two money laundering networks associated with the Sinaloa drug cartel, involving more than a dozen individuals and entities. One of the networks is accused of converting cash from the sale of fentanyl and other drugs into cryptocurrency and transferring it to high-ranking members of the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.OFAC stated that the network laundered money through cash collection within the United States, cryptocurrency transfers, and Mexican brokers associated with the "Los Chapitos" faction. "Los Chapitos" is controlled by Ivan and Alfredo Guzman Salazar, the sons of "Shorty" Guzman. Sanctioned individuals include Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles, who is suspected of being responsible for the money laundering network, and Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas, another leader of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization.OFAC noted that the organization collects large amounts of cash in the United States, exchanges it for cryptocurrency, and sends it back to Mexico. Under the sanctions, the assets of the relevant individuals and entities within the United States will be frozen, and U.S. citizens

FOX Business reporter Darren Botelho cited the latest estimates from a threat detection data company, stating that the Iranian government controls approximately $7.7 billion in digital assets. The U.S. Treasury had previously frozen about $500 million in crypto assets related to Iran, with $344 million frozen just last month. The CEO of 250 Digital Asset Management stated that although cryptocurrencies are often seen as tools to evade sanctions, they actually help law enforcement agencies track activities.The report indicates that the U.S. government may increase pressure on Iran by preventing cryptocurrency exchanges from accessing the U.S. banking system.

According to Bloomberg, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against an operator of the Sinaloa drug cartel, accusing him of using cryptocurrency to transfer drug trafficking proceeds back to Mexico. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control stated that those sanctioned include Armando de Jesus Ojeda Aviles and several of his associates, who laundered sales revenue from fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine for the Sinaloa cartel.The network relies on couriers within the United States to collect cash and transfers funds through digital currency addresses. In April 2024, a federal grand jury in Colorado indicted another associate of Ojeda, Rodrigo Alarcon Palomares, accusing him of laundering drug proceeds through cryptocurrency.

According to Bits.media, the Central Bank of Russia aims to prohibit Russian citizens from trading on cryptocurrency exchanges that comply with international sanctions. Ekaterina Lozgacheva, head of the Central Bank's Strategic Development Department, stated that the Central Bank plans to ban Russians from trading on foreign cryptocurrency exchanges that adhere to international sanctions. Russians can only trade cryptocurrencies on foreign platforms through Russian brokers, provided that these foreign platforms do not comply with international sanctions.The country's central bank will establish its own standards for foreign platforms that Russian brokers and investors can use. Lozgacheva noted that even trading cryptocurrencies abroad through Russian intermediaries is subject to foreign regulation, posing additional risks. The annual purchase limit for non-professional investors is set at 300,000 rubles, and they can only access the most liquid cryptocurrency assets through domestic brokers. A test must be completed before trading, and qualified investors are not subject to the limit but must also undergo testing. Relevant restrictions will be included in the second reading version of the draft "Digital Currency and Digital Rights Law," with key provisions expected to take effect on July 1.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has noted Iran's threats to shipping and its demands for "tolls" to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. These demands may include various payment methods, such as fiat currency, digital assets, offset arrangements, informal swaps, or other physical forms of payment, such as nominal charitable donations to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the Bonyad Mostazafan Foundation, or accounts of Iranian embassies.OFAC issued this warning to remind U.S. and non-U.S. entities that making payments to the Iranian regime or seeking passage guarantees carries sanctions risks, regardless of the payment method. Under U.S. sanctions regulations, U.S. entities and their foreign entities that are owned or controlled are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Iranian government, including providing or receiving services, unless exempted or authorized. Additionally, U.S. entities are also prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is listed on multiple sanctions lists and designated as a foreign terrorist organization.U.S. entities are also generally prohibited from trading with Iranian digital asset trading platforms, which are considered sanctioned Iranian financial institutions. Furthermore, non-U.S. entities that engage in unauthorized transactions with the Iranian government or IRGC may also face sanctions risks, including "secondary sanctions" on relevant financial institutions, restricting their access to the U.S. financial system. Conducting business with sanctioned Iranian digital asset trading platforms may also be viewed as supporting Iran's sanctioned financial system and could lead to sanctions. If relevant transactions result in U.S. entities (such as insurance companies, reinsurance firms, or financial institutions) violating sanctions regulations, non-U.S. entities may also face civil or criminal liability.

According to market news, the Seoul Administrative Court accepted Bithumb's application for a stay of execution against the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of South Korea on April 30, ruling to suspend the 6-month "partial business suspension" sanction imposed on it until the final judgment of the case.Previously, the FIU accused Bithumb of violating the Specific Financial Information Act, involving approximately 6.65 million violations, including failure to fulfill customer verification obligations and trading with unreported cryptocurrency operators, resulting in a fine of 36.8 billion won. The sanction was originally intended to restrict new users from transferring cryptocurrency assets to external addresses. Due to the court's latest ruling, Bithumb will be able to continue its existing business operations during the litigation period.

According to the official website of the Council of the European Union, the EU officially passed the 20th round of sanctions against Russia in 2026, which is also the largest sanction package in two years, adding 120 individuals and entities to the list, and applying comprehensive pressure from multiple dimensions including energy, finance, military industry, and trade.In the field of cryptocurrency, given Russia's increasing reliance on cryptocurrency for international settlements under financial sanctions, the EU has implemented a comprehensive industry ban on cryptocurrency asset transfers and trading platforms within Russia. Additionally, it has sanctioned a platform in Kyrgyzstan that supports the government-backed stablecoin A7A5 and prohibited transactions related to the cryptocurrency RUBx as well as all support from the EU for the development of the digital ruble.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Treasury is sanctioning multiple wallets related to Iran and will track and combat all financial lifelines associated with the regime.Tether previously announced that it had assisted the U.S. government in freezing $344 million worth of cryptocurrency in two addresses. Chainalysis data shows that the activity patterns of these wallets are consistent with the on-chain fund flow characteristics of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps wallets.U.S. officials stated that blockchain analysis revealed that the relevant funds were traded through intermediary addresses linked to the Iranian central bank's wallets to evade sanctions and facilitate international trade.By 2025, Iran's cryptocurrency holdings are expected to reach $7.8 billion, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps holding approximately 50% of that in the fourth quarter of last year.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Cambodian Senator Kok An, accusing him of controlling "fraud parks" across the country, defrauding American victims through cryptocurrency investment scams.According to a statement released by OFAC on Thursday, in addition to Kok An, 28 other individuals and entities have been added to the sanctions list, all believed to be connected to his fraud network. This network is accused of luring victims into sending cryptocurrency assets under the guise of "high return investments." This action follows a raid by Cambodian police on two scam centers in the border city of Poipet. Previously, Kok An had been accused of operating scam bases in the area. OFAC stated that scammers typically gain victims' trust by establishing "friendships" or "romantic relationships," then guide them to participate in so-called cryptocurrency investment platforms, thereby defrauding them of funds, with the total amount involved reaching millions of dollars.It is noteworthy that some individuals involved in the scam activities are themselves victims of human trafficking, forced to engage in illegal activities under threats of violence. OFAC pointed out that these scam centers are often located in casinos or repurposed office parks, used not only for money laundering but also as bases for defrauding American citizens and committing human rights violations. Additionally, regulators have simultaneously shut down over 500 fraudulent website domains used for cryptocurrency investment scams, indicating that the U.S. crackdown on related criminal activities is intensifying.

According to Jayati Ghosh, an economics professor at the University of Manchester, in an article for the Bangkok Post, the Trump administration has vigorously promoted the deregulation of cryptocurrencies and has advocated for dollar-pegged stablecoins through the GENIUS Act, while refusing to develop central bank digital currencies. However, this series of policies is producing a self-destructive effect: by 2025, illegal cryptocurrency trading volume is expected to increase by over 160% year-on-year, with countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea using cryptocurrencies to massively evade U.S. economic sanctions.Among them, Iran has introduced cryptocurrencies into the toll collection system of the Strait of Hormuz, with daily revenues estimated to reach up to $36 million; Russia, on the other hand, is using cryptocurrency exchanges to bypass asset freeze orders and fund military procurement.

Alex Thorn, the research director at Galaxy Digital, posted on the X platform that the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list (SDN list) has historically involved 518 Bitcoin addresses, which have received a total of 249,814 BTC and sent 239,708 BTC, currently holding a net of about 9,306 BTC, worth approximately $707 million at current market prices.Thorn also stated that OFAC sanctions are only one of the means by which the U.S. intercepts illegal assets, and the CLARITY Act will further expand the Treasury's relevant powers.

According to Cointelegraph, Kaitlin Martin, a senior intelligence analyst at Chainalysis, stated that shipping companies that may use cryptocurrency payments for transit fees to Iran could face serious sanction risks.Under the current sanctions framework, any payments made to the Iranian regime, including those related to key waterways, could be interpreted as "material support," putting companies at risk of violating U.S. and international restrictions.There have been previous reports that Iran may seek to collect transit fees in the form of cryptocurrency. Although not officially confirmed, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he would not accept any attempts by Tehran to impose tolls on shipping passing through this important waterway.

According to CoinDesk, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will jointly issue proposed rules requiring stablecoin issuers to establish a comprehensive anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance system. Specific measures include freezing, intercepting, and rejecting suspicious transactions, as well as complying with the relevant provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act.The rules emphasize an outcome-oriented approach, believing that financial institutions understand their own risks best. Issuers that establish a sound compliance system are typically exempt from enforcement actions. This move aims to implement the GENIUS Act passed last year, which is expected to take full effect in 2027.

According to CoinDesk, the U.S. Treasury is set to release proposed rules requiring stablecoin issuers to establish standards to combat money laundering and sanctions violations.According to a summary of the proposal obtained by CoinDesk, the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will jointly formulate rules that clarify how issuers can comply with the GENIUS Act passed last year, including establishing controls to block, freeze, and reject suspicious transactions. FinCEN will require issuers' anti-money laundering programs to be able to pause flagged transactions and focus more resources on high-risk customers and activities.When U.S. authorities pursue specific targets, regulated issuers must screen their records for activities related to flagged individuals or entities. OFAC requires issuers to operate risk-based sanctions compliance safeguards in both primary and secondary markets, identifying and rejecting transactions that may violate U.S. sanctions regulations. The proposal emphasizes respect for the industry, believing that financial institutions are best aware of their own money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and companies that maintain appropriate anti-money laundering measures typically do not face enforcement actions.U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that these measures will protect the U.S. financial system from national security threats while not hindering the development of U.S. businesses in the stablecoin ecosystem. The proposal will enter a public comment period and may be revised before finalization.

According to Jinshi reports, Trump stated that the United States will work closely with Iran, and we have determined that Iran has undergone a highly effective regime change! Uranium enrichment activities will be prohibited, and the United States will cooperate with Iran to excavate and remove all deeply buried nuclear "dust" (dropped by B-2 bombers).Now and always, these areas have been under extremely strict satellite surveillance (the Space Force is responsible for monitoring). Since the day of the attack, everything has remained untouched. We are and will continue to discuss tariff and sanction relief matters with Iran. Many items in the 15 o'clock content have already been agreed upon.