$131 Million in Iran-Linked Cryptocurrency Frozen by US Authorities

US Authorities Freeze $131 Million in Cryptocurrency Tied to Iran

The United States has frozen over $130 million in cryptocurrency associated with the Central Bank of Iran, as announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This significant action targets four Tron wallets holding around $131 million in USDT.

Details of the Freeze

The freezing of these funds occurred on July 14, 2026, following a similar enforcement action conducted in April, where authorities had previously frozen around $344 million in USDT. These measures reflect the ongoing U.S. pressure on Iranian cryptocurrency operations.

On-Chain Investigation and Wallets Affected

An on-chain investigator named Specter identified the four Tron wallets holding a combined total of roughly $131 million in the stablecoin, USDT. In response to the sanctions, Tether has frozen these addresses, which restricts the ability to transfer the assets.

Treasury’s Ongoing Campaign Against Illicit Financial Activities

Bessent emphasized that the Treasury Department is dedicated to disrupting and diminishing Iran’s illicit financial activities, particularly concerning the misuse of digital assets. Authorities plan to continue monitoring and limiting access to funds that are believed to be connected to Iranian government revenue.

Past Enforcement Actions

These recent sanctions come in the wake of a broader campaign targeting Iran’s digital asset infrastructure. In June, the U.S. sanctioned four Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges, as part of an effort linked to potential sanctions evasion.

Context of Rising Tensions

This action also occurs amid escalating military tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. Central Command recently confirmed strikes against Iranian military targets following a breakdown in a temporary truce.

With the resumption of strict oversight, this latest freeze underscores how centralized stablecoins like USDT can play a critical role in enforcing sanctions against state actors. Tether has utilized its control mechanisms to freeze funds in previous actions, affirming its role in compliance with law enforcement requests.