U.S. Sanctions 3 Cryptocurrency Exchanges for Helping Russia Evade Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned thirteen entities and two individuals—including crypto exchanges Bitpapa, Crypto Explorer (AWEX), and TOEP—alleging they enabled sanctions evasion by facilitating transactions with sanctioned Russian entities, providing cash and card-loading services, and partnering with Russian banks; the designations freeze U.S. assets and apply to entities 50%+ owned by blocked persons.