Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. Government has successfully seized $1 billion worth of crypto from Iran under the directive of Donald Trump

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the United States government has successfully seized approximately $1 billion worth of cryptocurrency linked to Iran, marking one of the largest digital asset enforcement actions ever carried out by U.S. authorities. According to Bessent, federal agencies “outright grabbed the wallets,” targeting funds allegedly connected to Iranian state-linked financial networks and entities operating under U.S. sanctions.  

The operation is part of the Trump administration’s broader economic pressure campaign known as “Operation Economic Fury,” which aims to disrupt Iran’s access to international financing channels. U.S. officials say cryptocurrency has increasingly become a tool for sanctioned entities seeking to move funds outside traditional banking systems, making digital assets a key target in Washington’s sanctions strategy.  

Bessent stated that the seized assets were tied to wallets believed to be connected to Iranian government interests and networks accused of helping Tehran bypass international restrictions. The Treasury Department has spent months expanding efforts to track and freeze crypto transactions linked to Iran, previously announcing actions that froze hundreds of millions of dollars in digital assets.  

The announcement comes amid escalating U.S. efforts to crack down on Iran’s financial infrastructure. Treasury officials argue that cutting off access to cryptocurrency reserves weakens Tehran’s ability to fund military operations, regional proxy groups, and sanctions-evasion schemes. Recent sanctions have targeted crypto wallets, exchange networks, and financial intermediaries allegedly involved in moving Iranian funds across borders.  

While some reports indicate confirmed seizures and freezes totaling between roughly $500 million and $850 million, Bessent said the overall amount of Iranian-linked crypto now under U.S. control is close to $1 billion. The Treasury Department has not publicly released a full breakdown of the assets or disclosed the specific cryptocurrencies involved.  

The seizure highlights the growing role of cryptocurrency in modern geopolitical conflicts, as governments increasingly view digital assets not only as financial instruments but also as strategic tools in sanctions enforcement and economic warfare. U.S. officials say additional actions targeting Iran’s financial networks remain under review as Washington continues its pressure campaign against Tehran.