US Treasury Sanctions Iran-Linked Crypto Exchanges Shelbit and Aban Tether
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two digital asset exchanges used by Tehran, Shelbit and Aban Tether, on 7 August 2026 (16 Mordad 1405), along with Siavash Kayvanpour, described as the operator of a multi-jurisdiction network of front companies, under Executive Order 13224. Treasury said IRGC-linked crypto addresses sent more than $1 million to Shelbit exchange addresses, while more than $2 million flowed from Shelbit back to IRGC addresses.
Recorded figures
- Status
- designated
- entities
- Shelbit Exchange, Aban Tether, Siavash Kayvanpour
- legal basis
- E.O. 13224
As of Aug 7, 2026
Sources
Donya-e-Eqtesad, citing ISNA · Donya-e-Eqtesad
Cited Aug 8, 2026
Khabar Online, citing Al Jazeera · Khabaronline
Cited Aug 8, 2026
U.S. Department of the Treasury
OFAC is moving against digital asset exchanges that the Iranian regime relies on to launder billions of dollars... This action targets two major digital asset exchanges used by Tehran, along with the ringleader of a network of front companies.
Cited Aug 8, 2026
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