Frequently Asked Questions

560. Are my OFAC compliance obligations the same, regardless of whether a transaction is denominated in digital currency or traditional fiat currency?

560 … Yes, the obligations are the same. U.S. persons (and persons otherwise subject to OFAC jurisdiction) must ensure that they block the property and interests in property of persons named on OFAC’s SDN List or any entity owned in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one… Read more

561. How will OFAC use its existing authorities to sanction those who use digital currencies for illicit purposes?

561 … The United States’ whole-of-government strategies to combat global threats such as terrorism, transnational organized crime, malicious cyber activity, narcotics trafficking, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation, and human rights abuses include targeting an array of activities,… Read more

562. How will OFAC identify digital currency-related information on the SDN List?

562 … OFAC may add digital currency addresses to the SDN List to alert the public of specific digital currency identifiers associated with a blocked person. OFAC’s digital currency address listings are not likely to be exhaustive. Parties who identify digital currency identifiers or wallets that… Read more

421. How does OFAC interpret the term "Arctic offshore projects" with respect to the prohibitions in Directive 4 under Executive Order 13662?

421 … The term "Arctic offshore projects" applies to projects that have the potential to produce oil in areas that (1) involve drilling operations originating offshore, and (2) are located above the Arctic Circle. The prohibitions do not apply to horizontal drilling operations originating onshore… Read more

536. For purposes of subsection 2 of Directive 4, what does it mean for a project to be “initiated”?

536 … For purposes of subsection 2 of Directive 4 , a project is “initiated” when a government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities (including any entity owned or controlled directly or indirectly by any of the foregoing) formally grants exploration, development, or… Read more

537. Subsection 2 of Directive 4 applies to certain projects in which a person subject to Directive 4 owns a 33 percent or more interest. Is OFAC changing its guidance on entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more entities subject to Directive 4?

537 … No. The prohibition in subsection 2 of Directive 4 applies to any deepwater, Arctic offshore, or shale project: (1) that is initiated on or after January 29, 2018; (2) that has the potential to produce oil; and (3) in which a person subject to Directive 4 (including its property or interests… Read more

538. Does OFAC aggregate ownership stakes of all entities subject to Directive 4 when determining whether a project is 33 percent or more owned by a person subject to Directive 4, or whether a person subject to Directive 4 owns a majority of the voting interests in a project?

538 … Yes. The prohibition of subsection 2 of Directive 4 applies to projects owned 33 percent or more in the aggregate by one or more Directive 4 SSI entities, their property, and their interests in property, including entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more persons determined to be… Read more

453. Pursuant to General License 6 under the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Program, are U.S. financial institutions authorized to process noncommercial, personal remittances to or from Crimea (or to or from individuals ordinarily resident in Crimea) when there is no individual who is a U.S. person as either the remitter or beneficiary in the transaction?

453 … Yes. U.S. depository institutions, U.S.-registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S.-registered money transmitters are authorized to process noncommercial, personal remittances pursuant to General License 6 regardless of whether the originator or beneficiary is an individual who is a… Read more

454. Does General License No. 9 authorize U.S. persons to export or reexport services or software with knowledge or reason to know that such services or software are intended for an individual or entity identified on the Sectoral Sanctions Identification List (SSI List)?

454 … General License No. 9 authorizes the exportation or reexportation, directly or indirectly, of certain services and software to persons in the Crimea region of Ukraine, including to individuals and entities identified on the SSI List or who are otherwise subject to directives under Executive… Read more

539. Section 223(a) of CAATSA states that the “Secretary of the Treasury may determine that a person meets one or more of the criteria in section 1(a) of Executive Order No. 13662 if that person is a state-owned entity operating in the railway or metals and mining sector of the economy of the Russian Federation.” Is OFAC going to impose sanctions on persons operating in those sectors?

539 … Section 223(a) of CAATSA does not require the imposition of sanctions. While sanctions may be imposed on potential targets in any sector of the economy of the Russian Federation in the future, maintaining unity with partners on sanctions implemented with respect to the Russian Federation is… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence