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Frequently Asked Questions

Featured FAQs

401. OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule states that the property and interests in property of entities directly or indirectly owned 50 percent or more in the aggregate by one or more blocked persons are considered blocked. How does OFAC interpret indirect ownership as it relates to certain complex ownership structures?

"Indirectly," as used in OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule, refers to one or more blocked persons' ownership of shares of an entity through another entity or entities that are 50 percent or more owned in the aggregate by the blocked person(s). OFAC urges persons consider ... Read more

5. How do I determine if I have a valid OFAC match?

If you are calling about a wire transfer or other "live" transaction:Step 1. Is the "hit" or "match" against OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, one of its other sanctions lists, or targeted countries, or is it "hitting" for some other reason (i. ... Read more

Recently Added FAQs

As of June 4, 2026, GAESA, MININT, and MINFAR are all blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14404. These three entities are also blocked pursuant to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), and MININT is also blocked pursuant to the Global Magnitsky s ... Read more
Yes. OFAC's June 2, 2026 designation of Iran-based digital asset exchanges Nobitex, Wallex, Bitpin, and Ramzinex pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902 for operating in the Iranian financial sector means that foreign financial institutions and other non-U.S. ... Read more