IRAN
Iran Eyes Bitcoin (BTC) Tolls for Hormuz Shipping Amid Sanctions
Iran may require Bitcoin payments for shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, leveraging crypto to bypass sanctions. BTC trades at $76,876.
Iran's OFAC-Sanctioned Tron Wallets Mapped by Arkham
Arkham has mapped Tron wallets tied to Iran's central bank, exposing $344M in frozen USDT and Tehran's onchain activity amid US sanctions.
Bitcoin Jumps 2.3% to $82K After Trump's Iran Rejection
Bitcoin surged 2.3% to $82,350 following Trump's rejection of Iran’s peace offer, wiping out $64M in short positions.
OFAC $344M Crypto Seizures Questioned: Analysts Suggest Non-Iranian Links
OFAC's seizure of $344M in crypto linked to Iran faces scrutiny as analysts point to other state actors. Implications for sanctions compliance evolve.
Iran’s Nobitex Exchange Linked to Political Elite, Sanction Evasion
Reuters finds Nobitex, Iran's largest crypto exchange, tied to Kharrazi family with deep links to supreme leaders. Billions processed amid sanctions.
US Freezes $344M in Crypto Linked to Iran's IRGC, Hizballah
US Treasury freezes $344M in Iran-linked crypto wallets tied to the IRGC and Hizballah, part of broader sanctions targeting Tehran's financial networks.
Polymarket Bets 73% on Hormuz Strait Normalizing by May as BTC Hits $78K
Prediction market odds spike after Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire. Bitcoin rallied to $78K but analysts warn truce remains fragile.
Iran Crypto Volume Hits $7.78B as IRGC Controls Half of Market
Chainalysis data shows Iran's crypto ecosystem reached $7.78B in 2025, with IRGC-linked addresses controlling 50% of activity. Bitcoin withdrawals surge during protests.
OFAC Cracks Down on Iranian Crypto Network Laundering $100M
The U.S. Treasury's OFAC has sanctioned Iranian financial facilitators for laundering $100 million in oil proceeds through cryptocurrencies, impacting Iran's military funding.
Nobitex Faces $90 Million Exploit Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Iran's largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, suffers a $90 million exploit, highlighting geopolitical tensions and the challenges of operating in a sanctioned environment.
OpenAI Shuts Down Covert Iranian Influence Operation Leveraging ChatGPT
OpenAI has taken action against accounts linked to a covert Iranian influence operation using ChatGPT to generate content on various topics.
Binance Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Support for Hamas in Israel Attack
Three families of victims from the Hamas attack on Israel have filed a lawsuit against Binance, its former CEO Changpeng Zhao, Iran, and Syria, alleging their support for terrorism. The suit claims these parties provided substantial assistance to Hamas, spotlighting the challenges of regulating cryptocurrency in combating terrorism financing.
Iran Joins BRICS to Reduce Reliance on Western Economic Systems
Iran joins BRICS, aiming to mitigate US sanctions and challenge Western economic dominance, amidst mixed reactions and uncertain benefits.
FinCEN Issues Alert to Counter Financing to Hamas and its Terrorist Activities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued an alert to financial institutions, urging vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to the financing of the terrorist organization Hamas. The alert comes in the wake of a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which was funded through various means, including virtual currency.
Iran Completes Pre-Pilot Phase for Digital Rial
Iran's central bank has completed a pre-pilot phase for its digital rial, according to an official statement by the Monetary and Banking Research Institute. The CBDC will align with the rules governing the national currency, the Iranian rial, and be distributed among individuals and banks. Ten banks have applied to join the project, and all banks and credit institutions in Iran are expected to start offering electronic wallets for the digital currency.