Report Says Sanctioned IRGC Shifted $1 Billion in Digital Assets

Crypto rails keep reshaping how money moves across borders. A new investigation now points to a sanctioned military group using digital assets at scale, slipping past traditional financial barriers with little resistance.

Good to Know

• A blockchain firm linked about $1 billion in crypto flows to Iran IRGC.
• Funds reportedly moved through two UK registered exchanges.
• Activity took place over roughly two years.

Blockchain Report Flags Large Scale Crypto Transfers

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly transferred close to $1 billion in cryptocurrency through two exchanges registered in the United Kingdom, according to a report from TRM Labs.

The activity unfolded over the past two years and involved digital asset transactions tied to a military organization already subject to extensive international sanctions.

The findings were first detailed by The Washington Post, which reviewed the blockchain analysis.

UK Registered Platforms Linked to the Activity

Despite operating under UK registration, the exchanges involved reportedly processed transactions connected to a globally sanctioned entity. According to investigators, the platforms did not block or flag the flows as required under international sanctions frameworks.

Experts say the case highlights how gaps in compliance and oversight can persist even in jurisdictions with established financial rules, especially when crypto platforms face lighter supervision than banks.

Digital Assets Used to Bypass Financial Controls

Analysts following the case say the transfers show how crypto can serve as an alternative payment rail for state actors seeking to move value outside traditional systems.

The IRGC already sits at the center of international attention due to its regional military role. The reported crypto activity adds a financial dimension to that focus, showing how digital assets can support operations without touching conventional banking networks.

Investigators noted that the transactions moved quietly, without triggering immediate intervention, despite their scale.