US Freezes $130M in Crypto Linked to Iran's Central Bank

The US Treasury has frozen over $130 million in cryptocurrency linked to Iran's Central Bank as part of its efforts to disrupt alleged sanctions evasion and illicit financial networks using digital assets. The action forms part of Operation Economic Fury, which targets cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, and financial networks accused of helping Iran evade sanctions.

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned several cryptocurrency wallets connected to the Central Bank of Iran. According to blockchain investigator Specter, four Tron wallets holding roughly $131 million in Tether's USDT stablecoin were frozen following the sanctions. Tether froze the addresses using controls built into the stablecoin, preventing any further transfers.

The latest action expands U.S. efforts to restrict digital asset networks that officials believe support Iran's financial operations. The Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the enforcement action on July 15, stating that more than $130 million in digital assets had been frozen. Bessent said the Treasury remains committed to disrupting Iran's illicit financial activities involving cryptocurrency.