Signal
U.S. sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over alleged Bitcoin transfers
Evidence first: scan the strongest sources, then decide whether to go deeper.
Published 2026-09-17 20:06 UTCUpdated 2026-09-18 09:02 UTC
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Evidence trail (top sources)
top sources (4 domains)domains are deduped. counts indicate coverage, not truth.4 top sources shown
Overview
U.S. authorities sanctioned Iranian crypto exchange BitBank, alleging that it processed Bitcoin payments linked to a Strait of Hormuz maritime scheme and moved hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The action also reportedly targeted financier Babak Zanjani and associated entities and individuals.
Entities
BitBankPishtaz Simorgh Electronic Trade CompanyU.S. Department of the TreasuryScott BessentBTC
Why now
- The U.S. Treasury has announced sanctions against BitBank.
- Multiple reports link the designation to alleged Bitcoin payments connected to the Strait of Hormuz scheme.
Why it matters
- The action directly targets a crypto exchange alleged to have processed Iran-linked Bitcoin flows.
- It highlights sanctions exposure for digital-asset infrastructure used in alleged illicit-finance networks.
Evidence assessment
Recurring claims
- U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over alleged Bitcoin transfers to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
- Reports say hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin moved through BitBank over a two-month period.
- Bitcoin Magazine reports that the sanctions also covered Babak Zanjani, Pishtaz Simorgh Electronic Trade Company and three associates.
How sources frame it
- U.S. Treasury: neutral
Multiple reports describe the same U.S. sanctions action involving Iranian crypto exchange BitBank.
All evidence
All evidence
CoinDesk report on the sanctions and alleged Hormuz payments
coindesk.com · coindesk.com · 2026-09-18 06:52 UTC
Decrypt report on BitBank Bitcoin flows
decrypt.co · decrypt.co · 2026-09-18 09:01 UTC
US sanctions Iran’s BitBank, saying it processes ‘Hormuz Safe’ Bitcoin payments
Cointelegraph · cointelegraph.com · 2026-09-18 01:33 UTC
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over alleged bitcoin transfers to IRGC
the_block_crypto · theblock.co · 2026-09-17 20:06 UTC
Bitcoin Magazine report on Treasury designations
bitcoinmagazine.com · bitcoinmagazine.com · 2026-09-17 21:48 UTC
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Evidence items loaded: 0Publishers: 5Origin domains: 5Duplicates: -
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