{
  "id": 16468944,
  "title": "Netanyahu rebuked for plan to use crypto to bypass economic sanctions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/netanyahu-rebuked-for-plan-to-use-crypto-to-bypass-economic-sanctions",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-25T11:46:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Al-Monitor",
    "slug": "al-monitor",
    "url": "https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/netanyahu-rebuked-plan-use-crypto-bypass-economic-sanctions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed exploring the use of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to circumvent potential international banking sanctions. During an interview with Channel 10, Netanyahu stated he was preparing for scenarios to evade sanctions through an alternative economic system, confirming he was referring to cryptocurrencies. Al-Monitor reports these comments come as Netanyahu faces re-election this week, while Middle East Eye notes the interview aired days before the October 27 parliamentary election.\n\nThe proposal has drawn significant backlash from various sectors. According to the Jerusalem Post, a group of 109 economists, business leaders, high-tech entrepreneurs, and former senior officials issued a statement expressing deep anxiety. The group charged that Netanyahu’s remarks demonstrate ignorance and warned that his actions could lead to an international economic boycott, soaring unemployment, and the loss of foreign investment.\n\nThe Bank of Israel has also responded to the plan. Middle East Eye reports the central bank stated that digital currencies cannot replace economic ties with trading partners, while Globes English noted the bank's position that it is the political leadership's responsibility to avert sanctions. Netanyahu responded to these concerns by stating, \"I do what I think is right.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Netanyahu tells Israelis to brace for sanctions, suggests crypto workaround",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/netanyahu-tells-israelis-to-brace-for-sanctions-suggests-crypto",
        "published": "2026-10-24T05:13:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Netanyahu explores crypto to bypass potential sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/netanyahu-explores-crypto-to-bypass-potential-sanctions",
        "published": "2026-10-24T11:42:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Netanyahu floats Crypto to bypass sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/netanyahu-floats-crypto-to-bypass-sanctions",
        "published": "2026-10-24T13:27:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "'Bibicoin will destroy Israel': Eisenkot slams Netanyahu's crypto plan for alternative funding",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/bibicoin-will-destroy-israel-eisenkot-slams-netanyahus-crypto-plan",
        "published": "2026-10-24T19:10:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Financial Times",
        "title": "Israel central bank rejects Netanyahu’s plan to use crypto to evade sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/israel-central-bank-rejects-netanyahus-plan-to-use-crypto-to-evade",
        "published": "2026-10-24T19:19:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Globes English",
        "title": "BoI slams Netanyahu's crypto plan for evading sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/boi-slams-netanyahus-crypto-plan-for-evading-sanctions",
        "published": "2026-10-24T19:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Top economists ‘gravely concerned’ at Netanyahu touting crypto to beat sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/top-economists-gravely-concerned-at-netanyahu-touting-crypto-to-beat",
        "published": "2026-10-25T13:09:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "'BibiCoin policy': Netanyahu faces backlash over plan to use crypto to bypass sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/bibicoin-policy-netanyahu-faces-backlash-over-plan-to-use-crypto-to",
        "published": "2026-10-25T16:37:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}