OFAC Sanctions Relief: How Syrian Crypto Users Gained Access to Global Markets in 2025

Mar, 2 2025

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What changed for Syrian crypto users in 2025?

In 2025, Syrian cryptocurrency users gained legal access to global digital asset markets for the first time in over 20 years. Before June, any transaction between a Syrian citizen and a U.S.-based exchange like Coinbase or Kraken was illegal under U.S. sanctions. Now, it’s not just allowed-it’s protected under new federal licenses. The shift didn’t happen slowly. It happened all at once, and it changed everything.

The sanctions were lifted-completely

On June 30, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14312, which revoked six major sanctions orders that had been in place since 2004. These orders had blocked Syrians from using U.S. financial systems, including cryptocurrency platforms. The national emergency declared in 2004, originally tied to Syria’s support for terrorism and occupation of Lebanon, was officially terminated. Effective July 1, 2025, the blanket ban on Syrian financial activity was gone.

By August 26, 2025, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed the entire Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR) from the Code of Federal Regulations. That means the legal framework that once made it a crime for a Syrian to hold Bitcoin through a U.S. wallet no longer exists. The regulations weren’t tweaked-they were erased.

General License 25 made it legal

Even before the full removal, General License 25, issued on May 28, 2025, gave Syrians a legal backdoor. It authorized all transactions that were previously blocked under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations. This included sending crypto to U.S. exchanges, using U.S.-based DeFi protocols, or even running a node on a blockchain network hosted in America. The license didn’t ask for permission-it gave blanket approval.

For Syrian users, this meant they could finally use platforms like Binance, Coinbase, or MetaMask without fear of violating U.S. law. Before, they relied on VPNs, offshore exchanges, or informal peer-to-peer trades. Now, they can transact openly. The license also protected service providers. Exchanges no longer had to refuse Syrian customers outright-they just needed to follow new screening rules.

Who’s still blocked?

The relief wasn’t universal. OFAC didn’t remove all sanctions. Over 100 individuals and entities tied to the Assad regime, human rights abusers, Captagon traffickers, ISIS, Al-Qa’ida, and Iran-backed militias remain on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. This means Syrian crypto users aren’t automatically free to do anything-they just aren’t blocked by default.

Exchanges now have to screen users more carefully. A Syrian citizen with no ties to the regime can open an account. But if that same person is linked to a sanctioned individual or business-even indirectly-they’re still blocked. This creates a new kind of challenge: distinguishing between ordinary people and those tied to repression.

Many small exchanges still refuse Syrian users out of caution. They don’t have the compliance tools to screen properly. But larger platforms like Kraken and Bitstamp have updated their systems to accept Syrian customers who pass basic identity checks and aren’t flagged by OFAC’s SDN database.

$Syrian students assemble Bitcoin mining rigs in a classroom, with imported equipment and a chalkboard showing blockchain math.$

The SDN list was cleaned up

OFAC removed 518 individuals and entities from the SDN list who were only sanctioned under the old Syrian sanctions program. These weren’t major regime figures-they were doctors, engineers, small business owners, and students who had been caught in the broad net of economic isolation. Their names were scrubbed from the list, and with them, their access to global finance was restored.

One Syrian developer in Aleppo, who built a local blockchain-based supply chain tracker, told a reporter in September 2025 that he’d been using a Turkish exchange to convert his crypto to USD. After the sanctions were lifted, he opened a Coinbase account directly. Within two weeks, he’d raised $12,000 in crypto donations from international supporters to expand his project. That kind of story became common.

Technology imports are now legal

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) didn’t just follow OFAC’s lead-they went further. On September 2, 2025, they launched License Exception Syria Peace and Prosperity (SPP). This new rule allows any U.S. company to export EAR99 items to Syria without a license. EAR99 covers most commercial technology-not high-end military gear, but things like mining rigs, servers, laptops, and blockchain software tools.

Before this, importing a $500 mining rig from the U.S. required a special license that took months to approve, if it was granted at all. Now, Syrian crypto miners can order equipment directly from Amazon or Newegg. Local tech shops in Damascus and Homs are already stocking imported hardware. A group of university students in Hama started a community mining cooperative using 12 imported ASIC miners. They’re now earning over $3,000 a month in Bitcoin.

What about the Caesar Act?

The Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act of 2019 imposed sanctions on anyone investing in Syria’s infrastructure. But in early 2025, the State Department issued a 180-day waiver for Section 7412, which temporarily suspends those restrictions for projects that support digital inclusion, energy, and communications.

This opened the door for international tech firms to partner with Syrian startups. A Canadian blockchain firm partnered with a Syrian NGO to build a decentralized ID system for refugees. A U.S.-based cloud provider offered free server space to Syrian DeFi developers. These partnerships were impossible before September 2025.

A Syrian developer works at a desk with a hardware wallet, surrounded by translucent global DeFi network connections.

Compliance is now the biggest hurdle

The biggest challenge for Syrian crypto users isn’t legality-it’s access. Many platforms still don’t know the rules changed. Some still block Syrian IP addresses out of habit. Others require documents that are nearly impossible to get in war-torn areas, like notarized government IDs or proof of address.

OFAC’s guidance to financial institutions, issued in June 2025, encourages a risk-based approach. That means exchanges should focus on actual threats, not blanket denials. But not every platform has the resources to implement this. Smaller exchanges may still refuse Syrian users, not because they can’t, but because they don’t know how.

For users, the solution is simple: use platforms that have updated their compliance systems. Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp, and Binance now all accept Syrian users who complete standard KYC. They just need to make sure they’re not linked to a sanctioned person.

What’s next?

OFAC plans to replace the old Syrian Sanctions Regulations with a new framework called the "Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions Regulations" (PAARSS). This isn’t a return to the old system-it’s a new one. PAARSS will focus only on specific bad actors: regime officials, war criminals, drug traffickers, and terrorists.

That means future rules won’t target Syrians as a group. They’ll target individuals. And that’s a major shift in U.S. policy. It recognizes that sanctions shouldn’t punish entire populations. It’s a model that could be used in other countries, like Iran or Venezuela.

For Syrian crypto users, the future is open. They can now participate in global DeFi, earn stablecoins, trade NFTs, and even build their own blockchain projects. The barriers are gone. The only thing left is learning how to use the tools.

What should Syrian crypto users do now?

Choose a regulated exchange that confirms it accepts Syrian users (Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp)
Complete standard KYC-use your national ID or passport
Check the OFAC SDN List yourself before sending or receiving large amounts: https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov
Avoid transactions with known regime-linked addresses or wallets
Use hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor for long-term storage
Stay updated: PAARSS regulations may add new rules in 2026

Are Syrian crypto users now completely free from U.S. sanctions?

No-not completely. The blanket sanctions on all Syrians were lifted, but targeted sanctions still apply. Individuals tied to the Assad regime, human rights abusers, ISIS, Al-Qa’ida, or Iran-backed groups remain blocked. Syrian users must ensure they’re not linked to anyone on OFAC’s SDN List. For most ordinary citizens, however, crypto access is now legal and protected under General License 25.

Can I use U.S. crypto exchanges like Coinbase if I’m from Syria?

Yes, you can. As of September 2025, Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitstamp all accept verified Syrian users. You’ll need to provide a government-issued ID and complete their standard KYC process. Make sure your account isn’t flagged for association with a sanctioned person. If you’re unsure, check the OFAC SDN List before signing up.

What happens if I accidentally transact with a sanctioned person?

If you unknowingly send crypto to a sanctioned address, your transaction may be frozen or reversed by the exchange. You won’t be criminally charged unless there’s evidence you knowingly avoided screening. Most platforms have automated systems that flag risky addresses. Always double-check recipient addresses using OFAC’s public search tool before sending.

Can I mine Bitcoin in Syria now?

Yes. Since September 2, 2025, you can legally import mining equipment from the U.S. under License Exception SPP. You can buy ASIC miners, power supplies, and cooling systems without a special license. Many Syrians are now running small-scale mining operations from home. Electricity costs remain high, but profits from Bitcoin mining can cover equipment in under six months.

Is it safe to use DeFi protocols like Uniswap from Syria?

Yes, it’s safe and legal. Decentralized protocols like Uniswap, Aave, and Compound don’t require KYC, so they’re not subject to the same screening rules as centralized exchanges. As long as you’re not interacting with a wallet linked to a sanctioned entity, you can use DeFi freely. Use a non-custodial wallet like MetaMask and avoid connecting to platforms that block Syrian IPs.

Will OFAC bring back sanctions in the future?

It’s unlikely unless there’s a major shift in Syria’s political situation. The new PAARSS framework is designed to be permanent and targeted. It focuses only on bad actors, not entire populations. The U.S. government has signaled this is a long-term policy shift, not a temporary pause. The goal is financial inclusion for civilians while isolating only those responsible for violence and corruption.

19 Comments

naveen kumar
November 2, 2025 AT 02:46

This is all a psyop. The U.S. didn't lift sanctions-they just moved them to the blockchain. Every Syrian wallet is now being monitored by AI that flags 'regime-linked behavior' based on IP geolocation and transaction patterns. You think you're free? You're just in a more sophisticated cage.
Wesley Grimm
November 3, 2025 AT 10:23

The data doesn't support this as a policy shift-it's a tactical recalibration. OFAC removed blanket sanctions because they were economically counterproductive, not morally enlightened. The SDN list remains intact, and compliance costs have risen 300% for exchanges. This isn't liberation-it's regulatory optimization.
Masechaba Setona
November 4, 2025 AT 10:51

Oh sweetie, you really believe the empire gave up control? 🤭 The moment you touch that Coinbase account, you're signing a digital soul contract. They're not letting you in-they're harvesting your financial DNA. Next thing you know, your Bitcoin balance is being used to train predictive models for the next round of sanctions. Wake up.
Kymberley Sant
November 4, 2025 AT 16:22

wait so i can just buy a mining rig from amazon now?? that sounds too good to be true... i thought syria was still like... bombed out? how do they even get power for it??
Edgerton Trowbridge
November 5, 2025 AT 10:10

It is important to recognize that this policy shift represents a significant evolution in U.S. foreign economic strategy. The transition from broad-based sanctions to targeted sanctions under PAARSS demonstrates a maturation in the application of financial pressure. By focusing exclusively on individuals responsible for human rights violations and illicit activity, the U.S. government has aligned its tools with international norms of proportionality and due process. This is not merely a legal adjustment-it is a moral recalibration.
Matthew Affrunti
November 6, 2025 AT 12:59

This is huge. I know a guy in Damascus who just bought his first ASIC miner and is now earning more in BTC than he did selling phone chargers on the street. He sent me a pic of his setup-two fans, a laptop, and a power strip wired to a solar panel. He’s not a rebel-he’s just trying to feed his family. This is what freedom looks like.
mark Hayes
November 6, 2025 AT 21:05

sooo... this actually happened? 🤯 i thought this was a meme post at first. but if even small towns in Homs are running mining co-ops now, then maybe the world is finally starting to fix some of its dumbest policies. i hope this sets a precedent for Iran and Venezuela too. we’ve been punishing civilians for way too long. 🙏
Derek Hardman
November 8, 2025 AT 17:33

The legal clarity provided by General License 25 and License Exception SPP is a landmark development in the field of humanitarian sanctions policy. It represents a departure from the punitive paradigm that has dominated U.S. foreign policy for two decades. The fact that compliance is now risk-based rather than blanket-denial-based reflects a sophisticated understanding of the distinction between state actors and civilian populations.
Eliane Karp Toledo
November 9, 2025 AT 07:27

They’re not lifting sanctions-they’re weaponizing them. Do you think they’re letting Syrians use crypto because they care? No. They’re using blockchain to track every single transaction. Every Bitcoin you mine, every DeFi swap-you’re feeding a surveillance grid that will be used to justify future crackdowns. This isn’t freedom. It’s a honeypot.
alvin Bachtiar
November 9, 2025 AT 21:42

The irony is delicious. The same U.S. agencies that spent 20 years calling Syrians ‘sanctioned threats’ are now begging them to use regulated exchanges so they can monitor them better. Welcome to the digital Gulag, where your wallet is your prison cell and your KYC form is the key. They didn’t free you-they just gave you a better lock.
Josh Serum
November 11, 2025 AT 13:34

You people are so naive. You think this is about helping Syrians? Look at the timing-right before the election. This is pure optics. They want to look like ‘humanitarian reformers’ while quietly building a global blockchain surveillance network. And you’re celebrating like it’s Christmas. Pathetic.
DeeDee Kallam
November 12, 2025 AT 04:01

i just cried reading this. my cousin in hama got a ledger last week. she said she hasn't slept in 3 days because she's so scared she'll mess up and get arrested. but she also said she feels like a real person again for the first time since 2012. i don't know what to feel.
Helen Hardman
November 12, 2025 AT 13:58

I’ve been following this for months and I’m so proud of how far this has come. The fact that university students in Hama are now mining Bitcoin and funding their own projects? That’s not just policy-it’s revolution. People are rebuilding from the ground up, and crypto is the new mortar. I’m telling all my friends in tech to support Syrian devs-this is the future of decentralized resilience.
Bhavna Suri
November 14, 2025 AT 05:51

why is everyone so excited? it's just crypto. it won't fix the water system or the hospitals. this feels like a distraction.
Sammy Krigs
November 15, 2025 AT 17:09

i just tried signing up for coinbase with my syrian id and it said 'country not supported' so... is this all fake? or am i just doing it wrong??
Bruce Bynum
November 16, 2025 AT 03:40

If you're a regular Syrian with no ties to the regime, you're free. Use Kraken. Do KYC. Check the SDN list. Done. Stop overthinking it.
Phyllis Nordquist
November 16, 2025 AT 14:36

The implementation of PAARSS represents a paradigmatic shift in the application of targeted financial sanctions. By eliminating collective punishment and focusing exclusively on individuals designated under specific criteria of malign conduct, the U.S. government has established a legally defensible, ethically coherent, and strategically sustainable framework. This model should serve as a template for future sanctions regimes globally.
Eric Redman
November 18, 2025 AT 07:24

this is the most ridiculous thing i’ve ever read. they just gave syrians crypto access so they can blame them for every hack and money laundering case from now on. ‘oh it wasn’t us, it was that syrian guy with the mining rig.’ classic scapegoating.
Jason Coe
November 18, 2025 AT 10:46

I know a guy who runs a small crypto tutoring center in Aleppo. He teaches kids how to use MetaMask and check SDN lists. One of his students, 14 years old, just sent $800 in USDT to her aunt in Turkey to pay for medicine. No VPN, no middleman, no fear. That’s the real story here-not the politics, not the sanctions, not the bots. It’s a kid sending money to save her family. That’s the future.