{
  "id": 276424,
  "title": "US Treasury targets crypto exchanges in new Iran sanctions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/us-treasury-targets-crypto-exchanges-in-new-iran-sanctions",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-07T18:58:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/us-treasury-targets-crypto-exchanges-new-iran-sanctions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Friday, the United States Treasury sanctioned an unlicensed multi-state cryptocurrency exchange, Shelbit, for allegedly processing millions of dollars of cryptocurrency for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other state-linked entities. This move comes in response to a Reuters investigation, published on July 31, which identified Shelbit as a central hub in a $4 billion Iranian sanctions evasion scheme. The investigation revealed that Shelbit facilitated crypto transactions for Iran’s central bank and addresses linked to the IRGC by the Israeli government.\n\nThe Treasury also sanctioned Siavash Kayvanpour, the expatriate Iranian who founded Shelbit, and a network of other companies associated with the exchange. These sanctions aim to target the illicit financial networks that enable the Iranian regime to operate, according to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. The regime's dependence on digital assets and shadow banking networks further underscores the effectiveness of the ongoing economic pressure. Treasury officials stated that they will continue to intensify their efforts to dismantle these illicit financial networks, regardless of the currency used, whether dollars, rials, or cryptocurrencies.",
  "summary": "US Treasury targets crypto exchanges in new Iran sanctions The United States on Friday sanctioned an unlicensed multi-state cryptocurrency exchange, alleging it processed millions of dollars of crypto for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other groups linked to the Iranian state. The designation follows a Reuters investigation published on 31 July that identified the Dubai-based…",
  "key_points": [
    "US Treasury sanctions Shelbit, a crypto exchange, for aiding Iran’s state-linked entities",
    "Expatriate Iranian Siavash Kayvanpour, Shelbit’s founder, faces sanctions",
    "Treasury vows to intensify efforts against illicit financial networks"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/276424.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CoinDesk",
        "title": "U.S. widens Iran crypto crackdown with sanctions on two exchanges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/u-s-widens-iran-crypto-crackdown-with-sanctions-on-two-exchanges",
        "published": "2026-08-07T18:42:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "The US Treasury sanctions Dubai-based unlicensed crypto exchange Shelbit, alleging it processed millions in crypto for IRGC and other Iran-linked groups (Reuters)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/the-us-treasury-sanctions-dubai-based-unlicensed-crypto-exchange",
        "published": "2026-08-07T18:45:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Decrypt",
        "title": "Treasury Sanctions Crypto Exchanges It Says Laundered Millions for Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/treasury-sanctions-crypto-exchanges-it-says-laundered-millions-for",
        "published": "2026-08-07T20:28:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}