The European Union has announced its 21st sanctions package against Russia, naming crypto exchange HTX among the targets and expanding measures against financial networks and institutions.
The package includes designations for HTX, which the EU accused of significantly frustrating its Russia measures. It stops short of a full asset freeze on the exchange owned by Justin Sun.
The measures also target the A7 cross-border payments network and its A7A5 stablecoin, which Chainalysis said has processed nearly $120 billion. The EU extended transaction bans to 14 crypto-related platforms in countries including Georgia, the UAE and Panama.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the package hits over a hundred banks and crypto operators. It freezes assets of 94 banks and extends bans to 33 additional Russian financial institutions.
The announcement follows Russia’s State Duma passing its first comprehensive crypto regulation framework three days earlier, with most rules set to take effect on Sept. 1.
