US Seizes $61M Crypto Tied to Iran's Black-Market Oil Sales

The US Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture claim against $61 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran's black-market oil sales. According to the department, Tehran used illicit sales of sanctioned crude oil to finance its military and support terrorism worldwide.

The US Attorney's Office accused Iran of using a network of cryptocurrency actors in China and other locations to launder more than $1.5 billion in proceeds from illicit oil sales.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle Jr. stated, 'Today's complaint demonstrates the FBI's ability to follow the money, root out illicit schemes, and halt the stream of cryptocurrency to any government attempting to evade sanctions or committing terrorist activities.'