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U.S. Targets Iran-Linked Crypto as Tether Freezes $344 Million on Tron

The action highlights how stablecoin controls give authorities a fast way to block sanctioned funds.

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Us freezes $344m in crypto tied to iran as treasury targets irgc flows
Tether freezes $344m in usdt tied to sanctions evasion, pig butchering scams
Tether works with US authorities to block $344 million in illicit USDT flows

Overview

  • Tether, which froze the funds Thursday, blocked two Tron wallets after U.S. agencies flagged them for illicit ties.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that OFAC sanctioned multiple Iran‑linked wallets under a campaign called Economic Fury.
  • Blockchain firms identified the addresses as holding about $213 million and $131 million in USDT and said their activity resembled Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps networks.
  • The freeze was applied at the USDT smart‑contract level, which left Tron operating normally but rendered the tokens immovable.
  • Chainalysis estimates Iran’s crypto ecosystem reached about $7.8 billion in 2025, underscoring why U.S. officials are tightening focus on stablecoin flows.