The U.S. Treasury Division sanctioned Russia-based Aeza Group for aiding cybercriminal operations and froze a linked cryptocurrency pockets holding over $350,000.
OFAC additional named 4 Aeza Group officers, Penzev, Bozoyan, Gast, and Knyazev, for his or her roles within the group.
Notably, Aeza Group, a identified bulletproof internet hosting (BPH) supplier, was sanctioned by the Workplace of Overseas Belongings Management (OFAC) for providing safe and nameless infrastructure to cybercriminals.
The St. Petersburg-based internet hosting supplier has been supporting ransomware teams like BianLian and the info-stealer operators behind RedLine, Lumma, and Meduza.
Two affiliated corporations and Aeza Worldwide Ltd., a UK-based entrance firm, had been sanctioned in coordination with the UK’s Nationwide Crime Company.
US Treasury Freezes Aeza Crypto Pockets Used to Obfuscate and Transfer Funds
Bulletproof internet hosting refers to web internet hosting providers that present infrastructure to cybercriminals, providing servers designed to evade detection and resist takedown efforts.
These providers are generally utilized by ransomware teams, information thieves, and on-line drug distributors to hold out and conceal unlawful operations from legislation enforcement.
In keeping with Performing Underneath Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Monetary Intelligence Bradley T. Smith, “Cybercriminals proceed to rely closely on BPH service suppliers like Aeza Group to facilitate disruptive ransomware assaults, steal U.S. know-how, and promote black-market medication.”
The Treasury Division additional alleges that the platform enabled assaults on U.S. protection and tech companies and aided the Russian darknet drug market BlackSprut.
Immediately, OFAC sanctioned Aeza Group for offering bulletproof internet hosting to cybercriminals conducting ransomware assaults. The designation included 1 crypto tackle, which Aeza Group used for funds. Learn our weblog to be taught extra: https://t.co/fyUHVNZAEp
— Chainalysis (@chainalysis) July 1, 2025
As a part of the sanction, OFAC froze a TRON-based cryptocurrency pockets utilized by Aeza Group during which Chainalysis revealed to have functioned as a hub for amassing funds, cashing out funds via varied exchanges, and infrequently receiving direct buyer funds.
The on-chain evaluation linked the pockets to over $350,000 in cryptocurrency, with some transactions traced to darknet distributors and malware distributors.
OFAC Efforts to Disrupt Cybercrime Infrastructure
The Treasury’s newest motion signifies its continued effort towards dismantling the infrastructure that helps cybercrime, reasonably than solely pursuing particular person hackers after the actual fact.
“Treasury stays dedicated to dismantling this ecosystem in shut coordination with worldwide companions,” stated Bradley T. Smith.
Notably, the OFAC carried out the same transfer in February 2025, when it sanctioned ZServers, a identified bulletproof internet hosting supplier utilized by cybercriminals to evade legislation enforcement.
Additionally, OFAC sanctions on Aeza Group usually are not the primary time the division has clamped down on Russia-linked crime. On June 12, 2024, OFAC imposed sanctions concentrating on Russia’s struggle economic system, together with restrictions on entry to U.S. software program and IT providers.
The sanction additionally consists of secondary sanctions on international companies, significantly Chinese language semiconductor suppliers supporting Moscow.
OFAC additionally sanctioned Russian nationwide Andrey Dmitriyevich Sudakov for allegedly laundering cryptocurrency from gold gross sales by way of entrance corporations within the UAE and Hong Kong.
OFAC has imposed financial sanctions in opposition to a Russian nationwide for alleged cash laundering via cryptocurrency. What’s going to occur subsequent?#OFAC #Cryptocurrencyhttps://t.co/QuCuGB0LDN
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 13, 2024
One other notable sanction to curb illicit trades consists of OFAC-sanctioned Iranian nationwide Behrouz Parsarad, administrator of the dismantled darknet market Nemesis.
OFAC sanctions Behrouz Parsarad, the Iranian administrator of Nemesis darknet market, concentrating on 49 cryptocurrency addresses linked to illicit actions.#OFAC #Darknethttps://t.co/2zMpF3Nhh9
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) March 5, 2025
{The marketplace} facilitated $30 million in unlawful drug gross sales, together with fentanyl. Parsarad allegedly tried to revive the platform after its March 2024 takedown.
Notably, the sanctions goal his crypto infrastructure, together with 44 Bitcoin and 5 Monero addresses.
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