Report: 700% Surge in Cryptocurrency-Related Sanctions Evasion by 2025

Mars Finance reports that, according to CoinDesk, a recent report by Chainalysis shows a surge in crypto-related illegal activities linked to sanctions in 2025, with at least $104 billion in cryptocurrency received by sanctioned entities, a 700% increase from 2024. This has driven the total illegal on-chain transaction volume for the year to $154 billion. Sanctioned countries such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea are integrating cryptocurrencies into their national financial strategies to bypass traditional banking systems. The report specifically highlights that the stablecoin A7A5, pegged to the ruble, is the main channel for sanctioned Russian companies, handling $93.3 billion in transactions in less than a year, serving as a settlement pathway for sanctioned Russian entities engaged in cross-border trade. This token is associated with the exchanges Grinex and Meer, which processed billions of dollars in transactions before being sanctioned by the US and Europe. A7A5 also offers “instant exchange” services, converting tokens into mainstream USD stablecoins with minimal KYC checks, having processed over $2.2 billion in transactions so far, effectively allowing sanctioned entities to access a broader crypto economy. Addresses linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps account for over 50% of Iran’s received value, transferring more than $3 billion. North Korea remains the largest cyber theft actor, stealing over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025. Stablecoins currently account for approximately 84% of illegal transaction volume.