top of page
All Articles


FinCEN Moves to Cut Banque Misr UAE From US Correspondent Banking Over Suspected Iranian Flows
The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has proposed cutting Banque Misr's UAE operations off from the US correspondent banking system after identifying approximately $1.8 billion in transactions involving 103 companies that US authorities believe may form part of Iranian shadow-banking networks. The proposed action, announced on 28 August 2026, represents a major escalation in US efforts to restrict Iran's access to the international financial system. It targets the UAE
Sep 18 min read


UAE-Based Companies Targeted in Iranian Money Laundering and Shadow Banking Networks
A network of companies based in the United Arab Emirates has been identified as playing a central role in financial structures used to move money connected to Iran, highlighting the continuing challenges posed by sophisticated shadow banking and sanctions-evasion arrangements. The networks have been used to facilitate payments linked to Iranian oil and other commercial activities while attempting to conceal the origin and destination of the funds. The structures identified by
Aug 125 min read


US Treasury Targets Major Iranian Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Sweeping Sanctions Crackdown
The United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on four of Iran's most significant cryptocurrency trading platforms, accusing them of enabling illicit financial activity, supporting terrorism-related financing, and assisting in the circumvention of international economic restrictions. The action specifically names Nobitex, the country's largest digital asset exchange by market share, along with Wallex, Bitpin, and R
Jun 46 min read


U.S. Treasury Warns of High Sanctions Risk From Chinese “Teapot” Refineries Processing Iranian Oil
On April 28, 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a major advisory highlighting ongoing sanctions exposure tied to independent oil refineries in China, warning financial institutions of severe risks associated with transactions involving these entities. The alert underscores that so-called “teapot refineries” have become central players in the import and processing of Iranian crude oil throughout 2025 and into the current fiscal period. U.S. officials stressed th
May 14 min read


U.S. Treasury Targets $150 Million Crypto Laundering Network Tied to Iranian Interests
The United States Department of the Treasury has unveiled a sweeping enforcement action against a vast financial network accused of using digital assets to circumvent international trade restrictions, exposing an operation that moved more than $150 million in support of Iranian state-linked activities. The designation focuses on a complex system of money launderers and front companies that relied on cryptocurrency exchanges and advanced obfuscation tactics to conceal the orig
May 15 min read


Iranian Strikes on Dubai Shake Investor Confidence and Challenge the Emirate’s Safe-Haven Reputation
In the aftermath of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting Dubai last week, concerns among investors have intensified, prompting some wealthy residents to move funds out of the emirate as geopolitical tensions escalate. Two Indian entrepreneurs living in Dubai attempted to transfer more than $100,000 each from their local bank accounts to Singapore shortly after the attacks, seeking to reduce their exposure to potential instability. Their efforts initially ran into d
Mar 94 min read


Binance Disputes Wall Street Journal Report Alleging $1.7 Billion in Iranian-Linked Crypto Flows
Binance CEO Richard Teng has publicly challenged a report published by The Wall Street Journal that claimed $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency transactions were connected to sanctioned Iranian entities. The exchange asserted that the article contained inaccuracies and misrepresented its compliance practices. In a statement dated February 23, 2026, Binance disclosed that it had sent a formal letter to the publication demanding corrections and a complete retraction. According to th
Feb 253 min read
bottom of page
