UK Launches Major Crackdown on Russia-Linked Crypto Networks and Exchanges

The UK government has introduced a sweeping new sanctions package targeting Russia-linked cryptocurrency networks, exchanges, and financial systems accused of helping Moscow evade international restrictions tied to the war in Ukraine.

The crackdown focuses on what officials describe as “shadow financial systems,” including the Kremlin-backed A7 network and several crypto platforms allegedly used to move billions of dollars through cross-border transactions and stablecoins. Major crypto entities, including HTX (formerly Huobi), were among those sanctioned, with UK authorities accusing certain platforms of facilitating payments connected to Russia’s financial sector.

The new measures include asset freezes, payment restrictions, and bans on UK businesses interacting with the sanctioned entities, highlighting how governments are increasingly targeting crypto infrastructure as part of global financial enforcement efforts.

Clever Robot News Desk 28^th May 2026