Sanctions News

The dual life of stablecoins: A lifeline for citizens and a tool for sanctioned entities involved in Venezuela and Iran's economic crises.

The Global Sanctions Inflation Index estimated there were just under 80,000 total sanctioned entities and persons globally as of May 2025.

Telegram’s H1 2025 revenue climbed 65% to $870 million, while Toncoin write-downs and $500 million in frozen bonds have added pressure.

Russia’s central bank is considering scrapping its strict requirements for crypto transactions as sanctions make it hard for Russians to transact internationally.

Russian oil companies have increasingly relied on digital assets and crypto platforms to circumvent financial sanctions, according to the European Commission.

Russia’s rapid DeFi expansion and increase in large-value transfers indicate growing adoption of crypto for financial services, according to Chainalysis.

Brad Garlinghouse has asked that Ripple be “held to the same regulatory standards as a bank” as the company awaits a decision on a national charter from the OCC.

Several banks in Russia, Belarus and Central Asia are also in the EU’s firing line for enabling crypto-related transactions, according to a Bloomberg report.

Despite sanctions and scrutiny, the ruble-backed A7A5 stablecoin surged 250% in a day to reach a $500 million market cap, overtaking all non-US dollar rivals.

The European Union is looking to block Russian crypto transactions, marking the first time that sanctions have directly targeted cryptocurrency platforms.

Iran crypto flows have dropped 11% this year to July amid conflict with Israel, a $90 million hack on local crypto exchange Nobitex and Tether freezing 42 wallets.

The UK sanctioned Kyrgyz banks, crypto exchanges and individuals tied to Russia’s ruble-backed stablecoin.

The US government redesignated Garantex on Thursday to its list of sanctioned entities, along with its successor, Grinex, but TRM Labs suggests it may be ineffective.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control said it was taking additional action against the crypto exchange after including it on its list of Specially Designated Nationals in 2022.

Roman Storm’s trial verdict leaves the door open for US prosecutors to retry the Tornado Cash developer, attorneys said.