U.S. freezes $344 million in Iran-linked crypto as pressure on Tehran mounts during ceasefire; Tether blacklists two USDT wallets

U.S. authorities have frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency linked to Iran, stepping up economic pressure on Tehran during a ceasefire. Stablecoin issuer Tether moved this week to blacklist two wallets holding $213 million and $131 million in USDT. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move."