US strikes Russia‑linked crypto network: added to A7 sanctions list

The U.S. administration has taken a sanctions decision against the financial network called A7, which is alleged to be used to circumvent sanctions against Russia and Iran. The U.S. Treasury Department, while blocking the assets of the network within U.S. jurisdiction—including those involving crypto assets—also introduced new restrictions on the financial transfers of affiliated companies.

A7 Network Added to Sanctions List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the U.S. Treasury Department placed the A7 network under sanctions on October 1 as a significant transnational criminal organization.

U.S. authorities argue that A7 is being used to circumvent sanctions against Russia and Iran. The scope of sanctions previously applied to some companies and individuals linked to the network has now been expanded directly to the A7 network with the latest decision.

Under the decision, assets of the A7 network located in the U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons and entities will be blocked. Additionally, companies in which the sanctioned persons or entities own at least 50% directly or indirectly will also fall under sanctions.

Ruble-Backed Crypto Token Draws Attention

It was noted that in A7's activities, bank and other traditional money transfers, as well as crypto assets, are used.

The ruble-backed A7A5 token issued by Old Vector, one of the network's affiliated entities, also draws attention. Old Vector was added to the U.S. sanctions list in August 2025.

The U.S. Treasury Department alleges that the A7A5 token is used to help actors within the network bypass sanctions and carry out international financial transactions. The department also says that transactions conducted via the token generate revenue for sanctioned infrastructure.

Companies in Third Countries Are Also Being Examined.

It was reported that intermediary companies located in third countries also play a role in A7's activities.

According to U.S. authorities, some companies used fake import and export records and product descriptions that do not reflect reality to portray sanction‑covered money movements as legitimate commercial transactions.

According to data from the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the companies in question carried out transactions exceeding $17 billion worldwide between January 2025 and June 2026.

New Restrictions on Crypto Transfers Also on the Agenda

FinCEN has also drafted a separate regulation that would restrict the access of intermediary companies linked to A7 to the U.S. financial system.

If the proposal takes effect, U.S. financial institutions could be prohibited from carrying out money transfers that involve the designated A7-linked companies. The regulation covers both traditional wire transfers and crypto asset transactions.

While OFAC's sanctions decision has taken effect, FinCEN's proposal on transfers remains unresolved. The agency also issued a warning to financial institutions about detecting and reporting suspicious A7-linked transactions.

Public comments will be solicited for 30 days from the date the regulation proposal is published in the Federal Register.