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59 Greed
Regulation Bearish

UK sanctions three crypto platforms over Russia sanctions evasion links

CryptoVideos brief
Built from 3 sources 1 min read
UK sanctions three crypto platforms over Russia sanctions evasion links Image: Crypto.news
Image via Crypto.news.

On October 8 2026, the UK added crypto payment processors Cryptomus and Heleket, plus Kyrgyzstani exchange TokenSpot, to its Russia sanctions list as part of a 38-entity package. The designations require UK persons to stop dealing with the firms and freeze any UK-held assets. TRM Labs data links the platforms to sanctioned exchanges Garantex, Grinex and the A7 network, with TokenSpot facilitating over $950 million in transfers to those entities. Cryptomus and Heleket share operating infrastructure via Canadian-registered Xeltox Enterprises Ltd.

Key points

  1. The UK sanctioned Cryptomus, Heleket and TokenSpot on October 8 2026 as part of a 38-entity Russia sanctions package.
  2. TRM Labs data links all three platforms to sanctioned exchanges Garantex, Grinex and the A7 network.
  3. TokenSpot facilitated over $950 million in transfers to the sanctioned exchanges and A7 network per TRM Labs.
  4. Cryptomus and Heleket operate via shared infrastructure through Canadian-registered Xeltox Enterprises Ltd.

Why it matters

The designations require UK persons to cease all dealings with the three platforms and freeze any assets they hold in the UK. Counterparty exposure to the platforms or their linked sanctioned entities is now a red flag for UK-based crypto firms.

What's unclear

The date of the TRM Labs assessment labeling TokenSpot as sharing infrastructure with Grinex is reported as October 6 2026 by one source and October 8 2026 by the other.

Sources · 3 publishers

Crypto Briefing Tier 2 First report
UK sanctions crypto payment processors Cryptomus, Heleket, and exchange TokenSpot
Crypto.news Tier 2
UK blacklists Cryptomus, Heleket and TokenSpot over Russia links
Decrypt Tier 1
UK Targets Cryptomus and TokenSpot in New Russia Sanctions Package

Coverage timeline

  1. First reported by Crypto Briefing
  2. Confirmed by Crypto.news
  3. CryptoVideos brief published
  4. 1 more publisher added to sources
How this brief was made. Our system found this event in 3 independent publications, summarised two complete reports with AI and checked every number above against the source text. Sources are linked in full. Not financial advice. Report an error

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