{"id":353697,"date":"2018-10-12T23:30:04","date_gmt":"2018-10-12T23:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ktsl888.com\/?p=353697"},"modified":"2019-03-11T20:54:01","modified_gmt":"2019-03-11T20:54:01","slug":"fincen-issues-advisory-on-irans-illicit-use-of-crypto-to-bypass-sanctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ktsl888.com\/news\/fincen-issues-advisory-on-irans-illicit-use-of-crypto-to-bypass-sanctions\/","title":{"rendered":"FinCEN Issues Advisory On Iran\u2019s “Illicit” Use of Crypto to Bypass Sanctions"},"content":{"rendered":"
Concerns are growing surrounding Iran\u2019s use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero <\/span>\u2013<\/span> and soon, their own native cryptocurrency \u2013 to evade economic sanctions put in place by the U.S., prompting FinCEN to issue an advisory on the topic.<\/span><\/p>\n The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an alert<\/a>, warning U.S.-based financial institutions, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, about Iran\u2019s\u00a0 “illicit and malign” exploitation of various financial markets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n FinCEN alleges that Iran has been abusing financial markets to evade U.S.-led economic sanctions and finance terrorist organizations and activities.<\/span><\/p>\n The advisory claims that Iran utilizes “front and shell companies to exploit financial systems around the world to generate revenues” that support “terrorist groups, ballistic missile development, human rights abuses, support to the Syrian regime, and other destabilizing actions targeted by U.S. sanctions.”<\/span><\/p>\n Among the financial markets Iran “exploits” is the cryptocurrency market. It was first reported<\/a> as far back as February that Iran had been considering using cryptocurrencies to evade economic sanctions. However, FinCEN reports that Iran\u2019s usage of cryptocurrency dates back to 2013. <\/span><\/p>\n Since then, Iran\u2019s use of crypto “includes at least $3.8 million worth of Bitcoin-denominated transactions per year.” FinCEN says the number is “comparatively small” to other countries, but still plenty cause for concern due to the “potential avenues” cryptocurrency provides for money-laundering and other illegal activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n FinCEN urges cryptocurrency exchanges to review blockchain transactions for any activity that could be tied to Iran.<\/span><\/p>\n Iran is steadfast in its approach to using cryptocurrency as a means of evading Trump administration-led sanctions. This is to the point that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered the National Cyberspace Center (NCC) to draft a plan for the nation\u2019s own cryptocurrency<\/a> backed by the rial \u2013 Iran\u2019s failing fiat currency.<\/span><\/p>\nFinCEN on Iran’s Exploitation of Financial Markets<\/h2>\n
Iran Launching National Crypto, Uses Other Unorthodox Evasion Methods<\/h2>\n