U.S. Sanctions Target Digital Asset Exchanges Linked to Iran’s IRGC

U.S. Sanctions Target Iranian Cryptocurrency Networks Linked to IRGC

Washington, D.C. – August 7, 2026 — In a significant move to curb illicit financial activities, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Friday the imposition of sanctions on two digital-asset exchanges and a multinational network of companies accused of laundering billions of dollars and facilitating cryptocurrency transactions for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The sanctions specifically target Shelbit Exchange, the Iran-based Aban Tether, and businessman Siavash Kayvanpour, along with several companies associated with him in Georgia, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. According to Treasury officials, IRGC-linked digital addresses reportedly transferred over $1 million in cryptocurrency to Shelbit, while more than $2 million flowed from Shelbit to IRGC-affiliated wallets.

Kayvanpour’s addresses are also alleged to have funneled more than $2 million to Nobitex, Iran’s largest digital-asset exchange, which was sanctioned by the U.S. on June 2 for its role in processing a significant portion of Iranian digital-asset inflows.

Shelbit has been implicated in servicing a vast Persian-language online gambling network, with reports indicating that tens of millions of dollars in digital assets were laundered through the exchange. A recent Reuters investigation revealed that at least $4 billion had been funneled through Shelbit in a network involving over 2,000 gambling websites, Iran’s central bank, and entities linked to the IRGC. Shelbit has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that it does not knowingly facilitate money laundering or transactions for sanctioned entities.

Aban Tether was sanctioned for its operations within Iran’s financial sector, having processed millions of dollars in transactions involving previously designated Iranian exchanges, including Nobitex and others.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that these actions are part of the Trump administration’s “Economic Fury” campaign aimed at dismantling Iranian financial networks that operate through various currencies, including cryptocurrency. The State Department has also announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that aids in disrupting the IRGC’s financial operations.

In a related development, the Treasury lifted counterterrorism sanctions on Iraq’s Fly Baghdad airline and Iraq Express, as well as two Boeing 737 aircraft previously targeted over alleged support for the IRGC-Quds Force. Officials stated that this delisting followed “significant behavioral changes” but clarified that it does not signify a shift in U.S. policy toward Iran or the IRGC.

As tensions continue to rise, the U.S. remains vigilant in its efforts to combat financial networks that threaten regional stability and international security.