美國、英國調查與受制裁交易所有關的數十億美元加密貨幣轉移

據報道，美國和英國正在調查使用 Tether 的 USDT 穩定幣透過受制裁的俄羅斯交易所 Garantex 進行的超過 200 億美元的加密貨幣轉帳。接受調查的付款是在 Garantex 因涉嫌在俄羅斯進行非法交易和金融犯罪而受到製裁之後發生的。雖然加密貨幣交易可能嚴重違反制裁，但調查仍在進行中，尚未得出任何結論或對 Tether 產生影響。

U.S. and UK Investigate Multi-Billion Dollar Crypto Transfers Linked to Sanctioned Exchange

美國和英國調查與受制裁交易所相關的數十億美元加密貨幣轉移

Washington/London, March 28, 2023 - The United States and United Kingdom are scrutinizing billions of dollars' worth of cryptocurrency transactions allegedly sent through the Russia-based crypto exchange Garantex, according to a recent Bloomberg report. The transfers, said to have utilized the dollar-pegged stablecoin Tether (USDT), are being investigated for potential breaches of sanctions imposed on Russia since the commencement of the Ukraine conflict.

華盛頓/倫敦，2023 年 3 月 28 日 - 根據彭博社最近報道，美國和英國正在審查據稱透過俄羅斯加密貨幣交易所 Garantex 發送的價值數十億美元的加密貨幣交易。據稱，這些轉帳是使用與美元掛鉤的穩定幣 Tether（USDT）進行的，目前正在調查這些轉帳是否可能違反自烏克蘭衝突爆發以來對俄羅斯實施的製裁。

Sanctioned Exchange Under Investigation

受制裁交易所正在接受調查

In April 2022, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated both Garantex and the Hydra Market as sanctioned entities due to their alleged involvement in facilitating ransomware attacks and illicit darknet drug trade. Despite its initial establishment in Estonia in 2019, the U.S. asserts that Garantex's operations are primarily conducted from the Federation Tower in Moscow.

2022 年 4 月，美國財政部外國資產管制辦公室 (OFAC) 將 Garantex 和 Hydra Market 指定為受制裁實體，因為它們涉嫌參與促進勒索軟體攻擊和非法暗網毒品交易。儘管 Garantex 最初於 2019 年在愛沙尼亞成立，但美國聲稱 Garantex 的業務主要在莫斯科聯邦大廈進行。

Probe into $20 Billion Transfers

調查200億美元轉移

The Bloomberg report, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, claims that the U.S. and UK are jointly reviewing over $20 billion in cryptocurrency transfers suspected of passing through Garantex using USDT. These payments allegedly occurred after the imposition of sanctions against Garantex, prompting suspicion of circumventing measures intended to isolate Russia financially.

彭博社通報引述未透露姓名的知情人士的話稱，美國和英國正在聯合審查涉嫌使用 USDT 透過 Garantex 進行的超過 200 億美元的加密貨幣轉帳。據稱，這些付款是在對 Garantex 實施制裁之後發生的，這引發了人們懷疑其規避了旨在經濟上孤立俄羅斯的措施。

The complexity of digital asset payments is said to complicate the investigation, making it premature to draw definitive conclusions at this stage. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the suspected crypto transactions, if confirmed, would represent a significant violation of the sanctions regime.

據稱，數位資產支付的複雜性使調查變得複雜，因此現階段得出明確結論還為時過早。然而，可疑的加密貨幣交易的規模如果得到證實，將嚴重違反制裁制度。

Tether's Involvement

Tether 的參與

The report also notes that the investigation has not yet suggested any wrongdoing on the part of Tether, the issuer of USDT. However, it is acknowledged that Tether has collaborated with law enforcement to freeze assets linked to entities identified on the U.S. sanctions list.

報告還指出，調查尚未表明 USDT 發行人 Tether 有任何不當行為。然而，眾所周知，Tether 已與執法部門合作凍結與美國制裁名單上確定的實體相關的資產。

Ongoing Inquiries

持續查詢

The U.S. and UK authorities continue their inquiries, seeking to determine the full extent of the alleged illicit transfers and potential sanctions violations. The outcome of these investigations has the potential to further tighten the financial net around Russia and send a strong message to those seeking to circumvent sanctions.

美國和英國當局繼續進行調查，試圖確定涉嫌非法轉移和潛在違反制裁行為的全部範圍。這些調查的結果有可能進一步收緊俄羅斯周圍的金融網絡，並向那些尋求規避制裁的人發出強烈的訊息。