Iran's IRGC Evades Sanctions via UK Crypto Platforms, Nearly $1B in Transactions
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
- Surge in Transaction Volume: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accounted for 56% of total trading volume on UK exchanges Zedcex and Zedxion between 2023 and 2025, highlighting their active role in sanctions evasion.
- Flow of Funds Analysis: TRM Labs found that IRGC-linked transactions skyrocketed from $24 million in 2023 to $619 million in 2024, before decreasing to $410 million in 2025, indicating a structural shift in financial pathways despite the nearly $1 billion total.
- Hidden Payment Routes: Analysts uncovered internal wallet clusters and recurring transaction routes linked to 187 wallet addresses associated with the IRGC, revealing a complex financial network operating under international sanctions.
- Increased Regulatory Pressure: As Iran explores cryptocurrency payments for arms transactions, UK crypto platforms are likely to face heightened scrutiny, especially given the challenges to public trust amid claims of adherence to anti-money laundering standards.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
