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Hamas-Linked Crypto Network Faces US Sanctions After TRON Wallets Linked To $38.6M Flows Flagged

US Treasury designated three individuals and seven TRON wallets after tracing $38.6 million in flows.

Hamas-Linked Crypto Network Faces US Sanctions After TRON Wallets Linked To $38.6M Flows Flagged

US authorities have sanctioned a Hamas-linked cryptocurrency financing network after blockchain investigators traced about $38.6 million in digital asset flows through seven TRON wallets connected to regional exchange services.

Key Takeaways
  • The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions a Hamas-linked financial network using seven TRON wallets.
  • The blacklisted addresses collectively handled $38.6 million in illicit cryptocurrency flows through an Istanbul-based over-the-counter exchange.
  • Blockchain forensics firm Chainalysis traces transactions from the UAE and Buy Cash Money to wallets previously identified by Israel’s counter-terror agency.
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The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which administers US sanctions programs, designated three individuals and seven TRON addresses tied to El-Kahira for General Trading, a Turkey-based over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency exchange that investigators linked to Hamas financing. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis said the wallets showed direct ties to addresses previously identified by Israel’s National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF), expanding the picture of how funds moved through regional crypto infrastructure.

US Targets Three Individuals And Seven TRON Wallets

The sanctions named Zaid Issam Ahmed al-Jebouri, an Iraqi national based in Istanbul, along with Abdulla Issam Ahmad al-Jebouri and Khaldun Khamis Zakaria Alden.

According to OFAC, the three operated El-Kahira for General Trading, an OTC exchange office that Israel’s NBCTF had already identified in a January 2026 seizure order.

Chainalysis said the seven sanctioned TRON addresses collectively received about $38.6 million in cryptocurrency.

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Investigation Followed Funds Beyond Individual Wallets

Chainalysis said blockchain records linked the newly sanctioned wallets to addresses previously seized or identified by Israel’s NBCTF.

Its analysis also traced transactions involving Buy Cash Money and Transfer Company, a Gaza-based money service business already sanctioned by OFAC, a UAE-based OTC desk, and deposit addresses at mainstream cryptocurrency exchanges.

Rather than focusing on isolated wallets, investigators mapped how funds moved across multiple services before reaching destinations where assets could be exchanged or transferred.

Regional OTC Exchanges Become A Compliance Focus

The investigation highlighted the growing role of regional OTC exchanges in cryptocurrency enforcement.

Unlike major exchanges that generally operate under established compliance programs, smaller OTC brokers can serve as intermediaries between blockchain transactions and traditional financial systems, making them more difficult to monitor.

“Building and maintaining on-chain coverage of these small services is a challenge across both the public and private sectors and requires significant investment and partnership,” Chainalysis said.

The company added that it had already labeled the sanctioned wallet addresses across its compliance products.

Why The Case Matters

The sanctions underscore how blockchain investigations increasingly rely on network analysis rather than individual wallet tracking.

Every cryptocurrency transaction leaves a public record on-chain. Investigators use those records to reconstruct financial relationships between wallets, exchanges and intermediaries, while sanctions authorities identify the people and businesses controlling those networks.

For cryptocurrency exchanges, custodians and compliance teams, the newly designated TRON addresses become part of sanctions screening designed to prevent prohibited transactions.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

01

What is El-Kahira for General Trading?

El-Kahira for General Trading is a Turkey-based over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency exchange identified as a financial hub for Hamas. The firm, operated by Zaid Issam Ahmed al-Jebouri and other designated individuals, used seven TRON wallets to move approximately $38.6 million in digital assets. This network served as a primary bridge between blockchain transactions and traditional financial systems for illicit actors.
02

Why does this matter for the crypto industry?

OFAC sanctions force global exchanges and stablecoin issuers to blacklist any addresses connected to these designated individuals and entities. The action extends U.S. financial enforcement to the TRON network, underscoring that public ledgers provide a permanent record for law enforcement to track and disrupt illicit financing. The move signals that OTC desks are now a top priority for global compliance teams.
03

How does blockchain analysis link these wallets to Hamas?

Chainalysis researchers cross-referenced the seven newly designated TRON addresses with wallets previously seized by Israel's National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF). By mapping transaction histories, investigators were able to link the El-Kahira network to other sanctioned entities, including the Gaza-based Buy Cash Money and Transfer Company.
04

What are the risks for regional OTC exchanges?

Smaller over-the-counter exchanges face increased compliance risk as U.S. and Israeli authorities intensify scrutiny of regional crypto infrastructure. These OTC brokers often act as intermediaries for high-risk transactions, making them vulnerable to secondary sanctions if they fail to implement robust anti-money laundering controls. OFAC is leveraging on-chain forensics to hold these entities accountable.
05

How will this affect TRON wallet holders?

Legitimate users of the TRON network are unlikely to be directly affected. However, global exchanges will now implement more stringent screening protocols for all TRON-based transactions to avoid interacting with sanctioned wallets. The incident reinforces the need for users to verify the counterparty of every transaction to ensure they are not inadvertently connected to illicit financial flows.
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Alex Reeve

Alex Reeve is a contributing writer for The Grey Terminal Her articles provide timely insights and analysis across these interconnected industries, including regulatory updates, market trends, token economics, institutional developments, platform innovations, stablecoins, meme coins, policy shifts, and the latest advancements in AI, applications, tools, models, and their broader implications for technology and markets.

The views and opinions expressed by the author in this article are her own and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Grey Terminal, its management, editors, or affiliates. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any decisions related to digital assets, cryptocurrencies, or financial matters. The Grey Terminal and its contributors are not responsible for any losses incurred from reliance on this information.