US Sanctions 2 French Charities in Hamas Crypto Case

The United States has sanctioned two French charities and three individuals over alleged ties to Hamas cryptocurrency financing. Authorities reportedly traced crypto transfers originating from France as part of the investigative basis for the action, expanding existing Hamas-related sanctions to European nonprofit entities.

Targets: Two French Charities and Three Individuals

The designations were issued by the US Treasury, the sanctioning authority responsible for Hamas-related enforcement actions. The two France-based charities and three named individuals are alleged to have facilitated cryptocurrency financing connected to Hamas. Under US sanctions law, designation is an administrative action; the named parties have not been convicted in a court of law. For related coverage, see Crypto Liquidations Top $750M as BTC, ETH and XRP Hit Local Highs.

Crypto transfers routed through France reportedly provided a key enforcement nexus for the action, according to CryptoSlate reporting on the Treasury’s expanded Hamas sanctions. Specific wallet addresses, transfer amounts, and full names of all designated parties have not been confirmed in available documentation at the time of publication. For related coverage, see Robinhood Engineers Charged Over Alleged Crypto Listing Trades.

Nonprofits as Crypto Compliance Targets

Sanctioning charities rather than exchanges or wallets marks a notable enforcement shift. The US has previously used Treasury designations against crypto platforms, including an Iranian crypto exchange targeted for sanctions evasion, but extending that reach to registered nonprofits in an allied country like France signals broadened scrutiny of the nonprofit sector’s digital asset exposure. For related coverage, see Bank of Russia Proposes 1% Capital Cap for Crypto Risk.

Any virtual asset service provider with exposure to the designated parties faces immediate compliance obligations under OFAC rules. The cross-border traceability of on-chain activity, demonstrated here by tracing transfers from France to a designated terrorist organization, remains a key lever for US enforcement, a pattern also seen in FinCEN’s action against a Russia-linked crypto network over alleged illicit flows.

Charities and digital asset intermediaries handling international crypto donations should treat this action as a compliance signal. Official Treasury documentation with named entities and transaction details is expected to clarify the full factual basis for each designation once published.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.