{"id":77293,"date":"2026-08-26T02:27:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:27:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/treasury-targets-iran-crypto-sector-and-100m-oil-payment-network\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T02:27:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:27:42","slug":"treasury-targets-iran-crypto-sector-and-100m-oil-payment-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/treasury-targets-iran-crypto-sector-and-100m-oil-payment-network\/","title":{"rendered":"Treasury Targets Iran Crypto Sector and $100M Oil Payment Network"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News )<\/b><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"@container mb-[25px] rounded-sm overflow-clip py-0.5 pr-0.5 pl-2.5 bg-success-100\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-m overflow-clip rounded-[6px] !bg-success-10 p-3 @[420px]:p-m\">\n<h2 class=\"m-0 flex items-center gap-s text-[19px] !text-[#1c1c1c] md:text-[20px]\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"10\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 10\" fill=\"none\" class=\"shrink-0 text-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M1 1.5h14\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M1 8.5h10\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><span>Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul class=\"m-0 flex list-none flex-col gap-m pl-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">OFAC can sanction foreign parties operating in Iran\u2019s crypto sector.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">A shadow fleet broker processed over $100 million in crypto payments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">Treasury blocked crypto wallets tied to Iran\u2019s intelligence ministry hackers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>OFAC Opens Iran\u2019s Digital Asset Sector to Sanctions<\/h2>\n<p>Foreign crypto businesses now face broader sanctions exposure when dealing with Iran-linked counterparties following the Treasury Department\u2019s latest economic campaign. The <a href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sb0613\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Treasury launched Operation Economic Outcast<\/a> on Aug. 24, targeting nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels connected to Iranian nuclear, missile, cyber, and oil networks.<\/p>\n<p>Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis wrote:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cOne of the most sweeping components of the package is a first-of-its-kind sectoral determination that allows OFAC to sanction anyone globally that operates in or supports Iran\u2019s digital assets sector.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cOFAC additionally targeted individuals supporting Iran through crypto-enabled trade payments and theft,\u201d Chainalysis added.<\/p>\n<p>The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) expanded its authority under Executive Order 13902 to cover five Iranian economic sectors. The <a href=\"https:\/\/ofac.treasury.gov\/media\/936781\/download?inline=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">determination includes Iran\u2019s digital asset sector<\/a> alongside aviation, gold, shipping, and technology, allowing OFAC to sanction people found to operate in those sectors.<\/p>\n<p>The designation extends an enforcement campaign that previously focused on specific exchanges and transactions tied to sanctioned Iranian parties. OFAC sanctioned four major Iranian crypto exchanges in June, including Nobitex, which handled more than half of Iran\u2019s digital asset inflows during 2025, according to the Treasury.<\/p>\n<h2>$100M Crypto Network Supports Iranian Oil Sales<\/h2>\n<p>The latest package targets Ukrainian national Ivan Obukhov, a United Arab Emirates-based broker accused of facilitating oil shipments for Iran\u2019s military and its proxies. Since 2023, Obukhov has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chainalysis.com\/blog\/ofac-iran-oil-payments-august-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">processed more than $100 million in cryptocurrency payments<\/a> supporting oil sales for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, according to Treasury and Chainalysis.<\/p>\n<p>Maritime service providers received updated guidance on Iranian demands for Strait of Hormuz transit fees, <a href=\"https:\/\/ofac.treasury.gov\/media\/936751\/download?inline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">revising an OFAC alert<\/a> first issued May 1. Companies risk penalties even when no money changes hands, by accepting insurance or answering demands for safe-passage guarantees from three Iranian bodies designated since May.<\/p>\n<p>Tolls sought for passage can take any form, including fiat currency, digital assets, informal swaps, or donations routed to Iranian charities and embassy accounts. Chainalysis previously described <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/irans-hormuz-crypto-tolls-a-significant-milestone-for-state-adoption-chainalysis\/\">Iran\u2019s crypto tolls for Hormuz passage<\/a> as a potential milestone in state cryptocurrency adoption, with stablecoins expected to play a larger role than bitcoin in high-volume transactions.<\/p>\n<h2>Iranian Cyber Operations Leave Cryptocurrency Trail<\/h2>\n<p>OFAC also <a href=\"https:\/\/ofac.treasury.gov\/recent-actions\/20260824\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">designated a cyber espionage group<\/a> inside Iran\u2019s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) for hacking U.S. critical infrastructure on behalf of the regime. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and TRON wallets belonging to group co-leader Behzad Mesri and member Keyvan Fayyaz Gareh Blagh were blocked, along with bitcoin and ether addresses for member Arman Kahzadian.<\/p>\n<p>Some group members also acted in their own interests, according to OFAC, while Chainalysis traced a ransomware payment arriving directly at one of the newly sanctioned addresses. Blagh sent cryptocurrency deposits to at least two bulletproof hosting providers, infrastructure that criminal and state-backed hackers rely on.<\/p>\n<p>A superseding indictment unsealed Aug. 18 named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/17-iranians-charged-conducting-massive-cyber-theft-campaign-behalf-islamic-revolutionary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">17 members of the Iran-based hacking-for-hire operation<\/a> Mabna Institute as defendants, four of whom OFAC designated on Aug. 24. The document describes several defendants\u2019 alleged involvement in the 2017 HBO hack, while Mesri was charged separately with attempting to extort the company for approximately $6 million in bitcoin.<\/p>\n<p>The sanctions follow earlier actions involving substantially larger volumes of Iranian-linked cryptocurrency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in May that the government had <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/treasury-seizes-1-billion-in-iran-linked-crypto-scott-bessent-confirms-at-reagan-forum\/\">seized approximately $1 billion in Iran-linked crypto<\/a> through a broader campaign targeting sanctioned wallets, oil revenue, and financial networks associated with the Iranian government and the IRGC.<\/p>\n<p>Chainalysis noted the expanded sanctions exposure:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cFor the first time, OFAC has designated digital assets as a sector of the Iranian economy subject to secondary sanctions under E.O. 13902. This means OFAC can now sanction any foreign person, anywhere in the world, that operates in or provides support to Iran\u2019s digital asset sector, expanding secondary sanctions exposure for global crypto businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Public blockchain records allow investigators to follow transfers between addresses even when wallet owners are not immediately identified. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitcoin.com\/get-started\/blockchain-tech\/infrastructure\/what-is-a-blockchain-explorer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">blockchain explorer displays transactions, addresses, balances, and transfer histories<\/a>, helping investigators and compliance teams identify exposure after authorities connect particular wallets to sanctioned actors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"not-prose my-3 lg:my-4\"><a aria-label=\"Read Now: Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply\" class=\"block overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] no-underline focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-[#4169E1] focus-visible:ring-offset-2 flex flex-col md:hidden\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/oil-stocks-crypto-swing-as-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-threatens-global-energy-supply\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"relative aspect-video w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 m-0 p-3 text-xl font-bold capitalize leading-[1.17] tracking-[-0.4px] !text-white\">Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-2.5 px-1 pt-2.5 pb-1\">\n<p class=\"m-0 line-clamp-2 text-xs leading-[1.3] !text-[#67656E]\">The escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz \u2014 where military conflict, mine threats, and a near-halt in shipping have\u2026<\/p>\n<p><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"flex items-center justify-center rounded-pill bg-[#4169E1] text-sm font-medium text-white h-[38px] w-full\">Read Now<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><a aria-label=\"Read Now: Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply\" class=\"block overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] no-underline focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-[#4169E1] focus-visible:ring-offset-2 hidden md:flex md:flex-row md:gap-3 lg:hidden\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/oil-stocks-crypto-swing-as-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-threatens-global-energy-supply\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"relative size-[150px] min-w-[150px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\"><img alt=\"Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"object-cover\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" sizes=\"150px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 32w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=48&amp;q=75 48w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 64w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=128&amp;q=75 128w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=256&amp;q=75 256w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-2 top-2\"><img alt=\"Bitcoin.com News\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"size-7\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, \/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col justify-between gap-2\">\n<h3 class=\"m-0 line-clamp-3 text-xl font-bold capitalize leading-[1.17] tracking-[-0.4px] !text-[#1C1C1C]\">Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply<\/h3>\n<p class=\"m-0 line-clamp-2 text-sm leading-[1.3] !text-[#67656E]\">The escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz \u2014 where military conflict, mine threats, and a near-halt in shipping have\u2026<\/p>\n<p><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"flex items-center justify-center rounded-pill bg-[#4169E1] text-sm font-medium text-white h-[38px] w-full\">Read Now<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><a aria-label=\"Read Now: Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply\" class=\"block overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] no-underline focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-[#4169E1] focus-visible:ring-offset-2 hidden lg:flex lg:flex-row lg:gap-4\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/oil-stocks-crypto-swing-as-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-threatens-global-energy-supply\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"relative size-[150px] min-w-[150px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\"><img alt=\"Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"object-cover\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" sizes=\"150px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 32w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=48&amp;q=75 48w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 64w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=128&amp;q=75 128w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=256&amp;q=75 256w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2Fsstruud-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-2 top-2\"><img alt=\"Bitcoin.com News\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"size-7\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, \/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col justify-center gap-2\">\n<p><h3 class=\"m-0 min-w-0 flex-1 line-clamp-2 text-2xl font-bold capitalize leading-[1.17] tracking-[-0.48px] !text-[#1C1C1C]\">Oil, Stocks, Crypto Swing as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Energy Supply<\/h3>\n<p><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"flex items-center justify-center rounded-pill bg-[#4169E1] text-sm font-medium text-white h-12 w-[180px] shrink-0\">Read Now<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"m-0 line-clamp-2 text-base leading-[1.3] !text-[#67656E]\">The escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz \u2014 where military conflict, mine threats, and a near-halt in shipping have\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/regulation-and-legal\/treasury-targets-iran-crypto-sector-and-100m-oil-payment-network\/\">Source link <\/a><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News ) Key Takeaways OFAC can sanction foreign parties operating in Iran\u2019s crypto sector. A shadow fleet broker processed over $100 million in crypto payments. Treasury blocked crypto wallets tied to Iran\u2019s intelligence ministry hackers. OFAC Opens Iran\u2019s Digital Asset Sector to Sanctions Foreign crypto businesses now face broader sanctions [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":77294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77293"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}