U.S. Treasury Secretary Says Iran-Linked Crypto Worth $1 Billion Will Be Seized This Week: "We Know Where It Is"

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on the 8th that the United States is likely to seize approximately $1 billion (about ¥160 billion) worth of cryptocurrency linked to the Iranian regime within the week. Speaking at an event hosted by U.S. media outlet Newsmax, he said authorities "know where it is" and, while not specifying an exact date, signaled execution within one week.

Bessent framed the action as part of an "absolute isolation" campaign against Iran, following the "maximum pressure" approach. The campaign reportedly includes a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, restrictions on international flights, and the severing of land routes connecting Iran to neighboring countries. The Treasury Secretary did not disclose which cryptocurrencies would be targeted, the legal procedures involved, or whether any measures had already been initiated.

There has long been a view that Iran has used cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) as a means of evading sanctions. Bessent had previously revealed in April that the United States had begun targeting cryptocurrency wallets linked to the Iranian regime.

Regarding the seizure amount, the Treasury Secretary had stated in May that approximately $1 billion worth of Iranian cryptocurrency had been seized. However, a Treasury Department announcement immediately afterward indicated the figure was closer to $500 million (about ¥79 billion). Bessent has not clarified whether the current $1 billion figure is separate from the previously announced seizure.