Kontigo faces partner backlash over alleged role in Venezuelan sanctions‑evading oil payments
Venezuelan crypto app Kontigo, founded in 2023 by Jesus Castillo, is facing scrutiny over alleged use of stablecoins to move oil revenues under U.S. sanctions. The company raised more than $20 million in December and operated in Venezuela under a Sunacrip license tied to Oha Technology. After reports linked Kontigo to sanctioned oil flows and alleged political connections, major partners including JPMorgan and Stripe cut services, and on January 12 Castillo released a video denying political ties while addressing a recent hack that affected 1,005 users.