Tether Blocks Over $544 Million and Expands Blacklist Against Illicit Activities in Turkey

NeverPresent · 2026-02-22T04:04:08+00:00

Turkish authorities have blocked Tether assets, freezing over $544 million related to gambling and money laundering. Tether, in compliance with regulations, has stepped up actions against financial crimes, blocking 5,700 wallets and $2.5 billion.

NeverPresent

2026-02-22 04:04:08

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Turkish authorities requested the blocking of cryptocurrency assets by Tether, resulting in the freezing of over $544 million in operations related to online gambling schemes and possible money laundering. This action reinforces the global blacklist efforts implemented by stablecoin platforms to combat criminal activities.

Global Compliance Data and Blocked Wallets

According to Elliptic analyses, recent data indicates that Tether and Circle have significantly expanded their blacklist strategies, totaling approximately 5,700 blocked wallets and freezing about $2.5 billion in assets. Of this total, two-thirds correspond to USDT, the most widely used stablecoin. This expansion represents a considerable increase in the compliance mechanisms adopted by leading stablecoin issuers.

Legal Procedures and Authorities’ Orders

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, confirmed that the company acts according to guidance provided by regulatory authorities, strictly adhering to established legal protocols. This approach aligns with Tether’s compliance model, which includes previous collaborations with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI in operations against illicit activities.

Global Strategy Against Fraud and Money Laundering

The strengthening of the blacklist is not limited to isolated incidents. It reflects a broader trend of regulatory responsibility in the cryptocurrency market, where decentralized payment platforms play critical roles in preventing illicit capital flows. The integration of on-chain analysis technologies, such as those provided by Elliptic, enables the identification and blocking of suspicious transactions with greater accuracy, reinforcing the integrity of the crypto ecosystem.

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