Tagged: ofac

Freedom of Speech: Tornado.Cash Enigma Explained

The sanctioning of Tornado.cash, a crypto mixing service, has riled many in the crypto-world. This past week, the US Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targeted the mixer as it is said to launder the proceeds of cybercrime – not just benign… Read More

Coin Center Defends Tornado Cash: A Smart Contract is a Robot Not a Person

As was earlier covered, the US Department of Treasury, via the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned crypto mixer Tornado Cash.  Mixers are used to boost the privacy of crypto transacts but may also be used to obfuscate nefarious activity. Coin Center, a… Read More

US Department of Treasury Targets Another Crypto Mixer as Tornado.Cash Gets Sanctioned

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted another crypto mixer by sanctioning Tornado Cash. Most recently, in May, OFAC sanctioned Blender.io, a mixer that is said to be utilized by North Korea  for its “malicious cyber activities and… Read More

Crypto Mixer Blender.io Gets Sanctioned by US Department of Treasury

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted a crypto mixer platform for the very first time. According to a statement by Treasury, Blender.io (Blender) has been sanctioned by the US government. Blender is utilized by North Korea  for… Read More

US Department of Treasury Targets Russian Sanction Evaders Including Crypto Mining Operation Bitriver

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has moved once again to take action against Russian entities as part of the growing sanctions against the rogue nation and its unprovoked war against Ukraine. In the first action of its kind,… Read More

US Department of Treasury Sanctions Hydra Market, Garantex, Along with 100 Crypto Wallets Associated with Dark Web Marketplace: $25 Million in Bitcoin Seized

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned dark web marketplace Hydra Market, labeling it a pernicious site for malicious cybercrime services, dangerous drugs, ransomware, and other illicit activity. Hydra Market is said to be based in Russia. Also sanctioned, Garantex is a crypto exchange… Read More

US Department of Treasury Has Contacted Crypto Firms About Possible Cyber Attacks by Russia

The US Department of Treasury has been contacting cryptocurrency platforms cautioning them about the possibility of cyber-attacks emanating from Russia following Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine. According to a report by Reuters, a person with knowledge of the conversations said following the sanctions leveled against… Read More

US Department of Treasury: Sanctions Restrict Russia’s Access to Billions Following Premeditated and Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine

The US Department of Treasury has issued a statement today following a flurry of international actions over the weekend that sought to cut off Russia from global markets while freezing assets of certain individuals and other entities. Treasury said the actions were taken following the… Read More

Chainalysis Makes Recommendations After OFAC Emphasizes Importance of Ransomware Prevention, Reporting

On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had released an advisory on the sanctions risks associated with carrying out ransomware payments and the “proactive” steps firms may take to address these types of risks. This… Read More

US Department of Treasury Targets Crypto Exchange for Facilitating Ransomware, Laundering

Ransomware attacks have become quite prevalent with nefarious actors targeting domestic firms, frequently demanding ransom in crypto. Today, the US Department of Treasury has announced a group of actions designed to mitigate ransomware activity including designating crypto exchange SUEX OTC as a “complicit financial service”… Read More

15% of All Ransomware Payments Made Last Year Carried a “Risk of Sanctions Violations,” Chainalysis Reveals

Last week, the US sanctioned several groups and individuals because of their alleged association with “disinformation” campaigns that were reportedly coordinated by the Russian government. Blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis points out that a few of the sanctioned utilized virtual currency in their “criminal endeavors,” and… Read More

US Dept of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Individuals, Entities for Attempting to Undermine 2020 US Presidential Election: Report

On April 15, 2021, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 16 individuals and 16 entities for “attempting to undermine and influence the 2020 US presidential election,” blockchain security firm CipherTrace noted in a blog post. CipherTrace also mentioned… Read More

Agencies within the US Justice and Treasury Department are Seeking Millions of Dollars in Funding to Oversee the Cryptocurrency Industry

Federal agencies and departments established within the US Justice Department and the Treasury Department are reportedly requesting that millions of dollars be allocated to support their oversight and enforcement efforts related to the cryptocurrency industry. US President Donald Trump’s administration introduced its $4.8 trillion budget… Read More

US Treasury Department Sanctions First Bitcoin Addresses

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the Bitcoin addresses of two Iranians the office says processed Bitcoin ransoms on behalf of Iranian hackers who targeted government and business sites in the US and Canada. Anyone who does… Read More

Report Indicates US is Confiscating Bitcoin Held by Iranians

  A report in Ibena from last week indicates that the US government is confiscating Bitcoins held by Iranians and the confiscation is ongoing. According to Sepehr Mohammadi from the Iranian Blockchain Community, the US has seized 500 bitcoins or more. In May of this year,… Read More

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