Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Moves $1 Billion in Crypto via UK Exchanges

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Moves $1 Billion in Crypto via UK Exchanges

TRM Labs reveals that Iran’s IRGC transferred $1 billion in crypto, predominantly using USDT on Tron, through UK-registered exchanges Zedcex and Zedxion from 2023 to 2025.

USDT
TRX

Fact Check
The evidence strongly supports the truthfulness of the statement. The core of the claim originates from a primary source investigation by TRM Labs, a reputable blockchain intelligence firm specializing in this type of analysis. This primary source directly asserts that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used two UK-registered companies to move over a billion dollars in cryptocurrency.This central finding is consistently corroborated by multiple secondary sources, including a crypto-focused media outlet (The Block), a major cryptocurrency data aggregator (CoinMarketCap), and a news report from the OECD. All of these sources accurately report the key elements of the TRM Labs investigation: the involvement of the IRGC, the sum of approximately $1 billion, and the use of exchanges registered in the UK.Furthermore, high-authority sources like the U.S. Department of the Treasury and another leading blockchain analysis firm, Chainalysis, provide crucial background context. While they do not confirm this specific incident, they establish a known pattern of behavior where Iran uses cryptocurrency for sanctions evasion and money laundering, which lends high plausibility to the specific claim made by TRM Labs.There is no conflicting or contradictory evidence among the provided sources. The only minor caveat is that the claim rests on the investigation of a single private firm, rather than an official government indictment or report. However, given the firm's expertise and the widespread, consistent reporting on its findings, the statement is assessed as highly likely to be true.
    Reference12
Summary

TRM Labs reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) moved approximately $1 billion in cryptocurrency via UK-based exchanges Zedcex and Zedxion between 2023 and 2025. The majority of these transactions, accounting for 56% of the total volume, involved USDT on the Tron blockchain, likely as part of efforts to circumvent sanctions.

Terms & Concepts
  • Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): A branch of Iran’s armed forces responsible for protecting the country's Islamic system and overseeing strategic operations.
  • USDT: Tether, a popular stablecoin pegged to the value of the U.S. dollar, commonly used for transferring value on various blockchains, including Tron.
  • Tron: A blockchain platform designed for decentralized applications, often used for digital asset transactions, including the transfer of stablecoins like USDT.