США впервые наложили санкции на криптобиржи за финансирование Ирана Translation: USA Imposes Sanctions on Crypto Exchanges for Funding Iran for the First Time

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added the digital asset platforms Zedcex and Zedxion to its sanctions list.

This action regarding the UK-registered cryptocurrency exchanges is part of broader measures against Iranian officials deemed «responsible for repression against their own people.»

Among those sanctioned by OFAC are Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni Kalagari, the head of intelligence for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Majid Khademi, and several regional commanders of this paramilitary organization.

The list also includes businessman Babak Monteza Zanjani, who was sentenced to death in March 2016 for embezzling $1 billion from national oil revenues. However, in 2024, Zanjani regained his freedom and began providing money laundering services and financial support to the government.

As a result, Zedcex and Zedxion, associated with Zanjani, have been sanctioned by OFAC. According to the Office, these platforms handled funds linked to the IRGC, with transaction volumes through Zedcex exceeding $94 million.

«This is the first time OFAC has included cryptocurrency exchanges in its sanctions list due to activities in Iran’s financial sector,» stated the agency.

Being included in the sanctions list means that all property belonging to the listed individuals and organizations within the United States is frozen. The measures apply to any property they own with at least a 50% stake.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the Central Bank of Iran purchased USDT worth $507 million to bolster the economy amid international sanctions, as revealed by Elliptic.