Virtual currency mixer used heavily by North Korea.
The Department of the Treasury sanctioned virtual currency mixer Blender.io (Blender) last week in partnership with the Department of State. Blender is a platform that randomly mixes different cryptocurrencies with each other, allowing for anonymous transactions. Officials found that North Korea has been using Blender to move money around various other sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the U.N.
“Today, for the first time ever, Treasury is sanctioning a virtual currency mixer,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson. “Virtual currency mixers that assist illicit transactions pose a threat to U.S. national security interests. We are taking action against illicit financial activity by the DPRK and will not allow state-sponsored thievery and its money-laundering enablers to go unanswered.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Secretaries Yellen and Blinken as they oversee financial sanctions placed on international aggressors.
- For the president and his fiscal advisors as cryptocurrency use is tracked and investigated.
- For U.S. officials as they consider regulations for cryptocurrency.
Sources: Department of Treasury
