The United States says it has seized roughly $1 billion in cryptocurrency assets linked to Iran, as part of a wider campaign to restrict Iran’s access to revenue, banking channels, and crypto-related infrastructure. Multiple outlets report that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made the claim at the Reagan National Economic Forum, describing the seizures as part of the administration’s financial pressure strategy toward Iran.
CoinDesk reports the action is tied to “Operation Economic Fury” and is intended to limit Iran’s ability to use overseas funds and crypto platforms. CoinTelegraph and The Block add that Bessent characterizes the figure as about double what the U.S. had disclosed earlier in late April, when the seizure amount was reported as nearly $500 million. The Economic Times and Middle East Eye also cite Bessent’s statement that the U.S. seized $1 billion in Iranian crypto assets.
While the outlets present the U.S. figure, at least one source notes the claim could not be independently verified. The reports do not provide additional operational details beyond the stated objective and updated total.
