Senate Democrat Presses Cantor Fitzgerald Over Its $10 Billion Tether Stake
Senator Richard Blumenthal sent Cantor Fitzgerald a 13-item records request on October 8, 2026, demanding details of the firm's business ties to stablecoin issuer Tether.
Sanctions News
Bitcoin, markets and the ideas moving crypto.
Sanctions stories
Stories 1–24 of 26 · 7 Nov 2025 – 12 Oct 2026
US Moves to Seize $1 Billion in Iran Crypto: 'We Know Where It Is'
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States expects to seize about $1 billion in Iran-linked cryptocurrency within the week.
UK Sanctions Cryptomus and TokenSpot Over Alleged Russia Evasion Links
The UK sanctioned three crypto exchanges and two payment platforms on 8 October 2026, part of 38 new Russia-related designations.
US Labels Russia's A7 a Criminal Network as Ruble Token Moves $179 Billion
The U.S. Treasury designated Russia's A7 Network a transnational criminal organization on 1 October 2026.
Tether's Stablecoin Became Iran's Financial Lifeline, Senate Report Alleges
A 28-page Senate report released on 28 September 2026 says Tether's USDT stablecoin has become a central conduit in Iran's shadow banking network.
US Treasury Sanctions BitBank Over Alleged Bitcoin Flows to Iran's IRGC
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iranian crypto exchange BitBank on 17 September 2026, alleging it moved hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
USDT and USB Sticks: Inside Orlen's Failed $230M Venezuela Oil Deal
Poland's state-controlled Orlen paid a $230 million advance for Venezuelan crude in December 2023, largely converted into Tether's USDT stablecoin.
US Targets Iran's Crypto Sector in 'Economic D-Day' Sanctions Wave
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned nearly 60 Iran-linked targets on 24 August 2026 and named digital assets a sanctionable sector of Iran's economy.
Binance Freezes Out HTX and 15 Firms as EU Sanctions Bite
Binance will stop processing transactions involving 16 crypto exchanges and service providers, including HTX, over the coming weeks.
US Sanctions Two More Iranian Crypto Exchanges in 'Economic Fury' Push
The US Treasury sanctioned two Iranian-linked crypto exchanges, Shelbit and Aban Tether, on 7 August 2026 for helping move funds for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Bybit Takes North Korea to Court and Freezes $1.5B Stolen in Record Hack
Bybit filed a civil lawsuit against North Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau, and the Lazarus Group over a $1.5 billion crypto theft.
Reuters Traces $676M From an Iran-Linked Exchange to Binance
An unlicensed Dubai exchange called Shelbit moved at least $676 million to Binance wallets since May 2024, a Reuters investigation found.
Iran Took Bitcoin to Let Tankers Cross Hormuz. The U.S. Just Sanctioned It.
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned two Iranian firms on 29 July 2026 for running an extortion scheme that forced ships to buy mandatory insurance to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
EU Adds First-Ever Third-Country Crypto Ban to 21st Russia Sanctions Package
The Council of the European Union adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia on 23 July 2026, adding 218 new listings.
Russia Nears Crypto Law Allowing Foreign Trade but Banning Domestic Payments
Russia's State Duma is scheduled to hold the second and third readings of crypto bill No. 1194918-8 on July 21.
Sanctions Case Opens Against Upbit Operator Over $36M Hack
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service has sent Dunamu an inspection opinion letter, opening a formal sanctions process over a $36 million hack at its Upbit exchange.
US Freezes $130M in Iranian Central Bank Crypto as Tether Blacklists Wallets
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned multiple wallets tied to Iran's central bank, freezing more than $130 million in cryptocurrency.
A Russian Stablecoin Claims Billions in Volume. Analysts Say It's Collapsing
A7A5, a sanctioned Russian ruble-pegged stablecoin, says it processed $34.4 billion this year and averages $205 million in daily volume.
Tether Freezes 72 Million USDT in Tron Wallet Linked to $120M Transfer
Tether froze 72,030,295 USDT in a Tron wallet on 12 June 2026, confirmed by on-chain data.
WLFI Freezes HTX User Assets; Exchange Delists USD1 Stablecoin
World Liberty Financial froze on-chain addresses linked to HTX on 5 June 2026, locking retail user funds with no prior notice.
Treasury Confirms $1B in Iranian Crypto Seized Under Operation Economic Fury
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on 29 May 2026 that the US has seized roughly $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency under Operation Economic Fury.
UK Sanctions Huobi Global for Russia Evasion, HTX Funds Frozen
The UK sanctioned Huobi Global S.A. on 26 May 2026 under its Russia sanctions regime, accusing the Panama-registered entity of channelling funds to Kremlin-linked networks.
UK Sanctions Xinbi Crypto Market Tied to Asia Scam Rings
The UK sanctioned Xinbi, a crypto marketplace linked to Southeast Asia scam centres, on 26 March 2026.
South Korea Mulls North Korea Sanctions Crypto Theft 2025
South Korea considers North Korea sanctions over crypto theft in 2025 amid U.S. actions.
