According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the US announced new secondary sanctions targeting Iranian digital-asset activity on Monday (August 24) as part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign to isolate Iran economically. Crypto is one of five sectors facing increased sanctions pressure, alongside gold, technology, aviation and shipping.
The action targeted more than 60 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Iran. As of May, the US had seized nearly $1 billion in crypto from Iran, and Monday's measures added Iranian wallet addresses to the sanctions list, including one holding over $30,000 in Bitcoin. Secondary sanctions have not been imposed immediately, but the Treasury warned that foreign companies continuing business with Iran risk penalties affecting access to the US financial system.
