OFSI publishes blog on cryptoassets sanctions enforcement

28 January 2026

The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has published a blog post on the Crypto Cash Fusion Cell, an interagency taskforce formed to counter the abuse of cryptoassets and associated money-laundering activities by “sanctions enablers”. The CCFC is a pilot initiative, made up of the National Crime Agency, the Metropolitan Police, HMRC, the Financial Conduct Authority, the City of London Police, and OFSI.

• CCFC aims to improve how UK enforcement agencies identify, understand, and respond to criminal abuse of cryptoassets.

• OFSI has worked with the CCFC to target criminal funds linked to sanctions offences.

• OFSI shared information with the CCFC which has resulted in “action against potential breaches of financial sanctions involving cryptoassets by UK based individuals”. This included working with private sector blockchain analytics providers.

• OFSI says the use of cryptoassets to evade sanctions is treated no differently to the exploitation of traditional currencies. OFSI is “ready to investigate and pursue sanctions offences involving cryptoassets, alongside partners from across government, law enforcement and industry, as our intelligence continues to be developed”.

See our UK Guidance and UK enforcement pages for recent updates on UK sanctions enforcement.