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For years, anyone trying to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any digital asset from Syria faced a wall of U.S. restrictions. In 2025 that wall cracked open, and the rules that once forced Syrian traders into offshore workarounds have been rewritten. This article walks through what changed, how the new framework works, and what every Syrian crypto user and platform should watch out for.
Since 2004 the United States imposed a sweeping set of prohibitions on financial dealings with Syria. OFAC the Office of Foreign Assets Control, tasked with enforcing U.S. sanctions, governed those rules through the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR). The effect on digital assets was crystal clear: any transaction that involved a U.S. person, exchange, or wallet provider and a Syrian counterpart was illegal, with penalties up to $20million or twice the transaction value.
That blanket approach forced Syrian crypto enthusiasts to rely on peer‑to‑peer swaps, offshore mixers, or peer‑run exchanges that operated in legal gray zones. The barrier wasn’t just financial-it also blocked access to hardware, development tools, and legitimate KYC services.
Each step reduced uncertainty, but also introduced a new compliance puzzle for exchanges and users alike.
Under the old regime, any interaction with a U.S.‑based service was a direct violation. After the reforms, the landscape looks like this:
In short, Syrian traders can now sign up for Coinbase, Binance US, or Kraken, complete KYC, and move funds without fearing an automatic freeze-provided they pass the targeted sanctions screens.
Even with the broad relief, platforms cannot go "set‑and‑forget". The targeted sanctions list still includes senior regime officials, human‑rights violators, Captagon traffickers, and links to ISIS/Al‑Qa’ida. This creates two main compliance hurdles:
Smaller exchanges often lack the resources for sophisticated screening software. Many are now turning to third‑party compliance providers that offer real‑time OFAC checks, automated SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) generation, and built‑in KYC modules tuned for Syrian ID documents.
With the legal door opened, a wave of entrepreneurial activity is expected:
Aspect | Before July2025 | After August2025 |
---|---|---|
Legal status of crypto transactions with U.S. entities | Prohibited - risk of civil/criminal penalties | Authorized under General License25 (except for listed individuals) |
Access to mining hardware | License required, often denied | Allowed under BIS License ExceptionSPP (EAR99) |
Banking for crypto‑related payments | Blocked by U.S. banks | FinCEN risk‑based approach permits processing after screening |
SDN exposure | Over 600 Syrian entities blocked | 518 removed, 100+ still sanctioned |
These changes also bring new risks. The influx of capital could attract fraudsters seeking to exploit less‑experienced users. Moreover, the lingering targeted sanctions mean that any accidental transaction with a prohibited individual can still result in a $20million civil fine.
OFAC has signaled that PAARSS will receive further interpretive guidance. Potential developments include:
Stakeholders should keep an eye on the Federal Register and OFAC’s monthly updates. For users, staying compliant means regularly refreshing wallet addresses, confirming that their exchange’s screening tools are up‑to‑date, and avoiding any counterparties linked to the remaining SDN list.
Yes, provided you are not on the current OFAC SDN list and the exchange has applied General License25. You will need to complete the platform’s KYC process, which now accepts Syrian national IDs and passports.
Directly, no. The OFAC rules apply to U.S. persons and entities. However, many non‑U.S. platforms choose to comply with U.S. standards because they rely on U.S. banking or have U.S. investors, so they often adopt the same screening practices.
The transaction could be frozen, and you may face civil penalties up to $20million or twice the transaction value. Promptly reporting the incident to OFAC and cooperating with any investigation can mitigate the penalty.
Yes. Under BIS License ExceptionSPP, EAR99 items-including most ASIC miners-can be shipped without a specific license, as long as the end‑use is not prohibited.
OFAC has hinted at expanding PAARSS guidance to cover DeFi protocols, but no formal license has been issued yet. Keep an eye on the Federal Register for updates.
1. Verify your personal status against the latest OFAC SDN list (available on the OFAC website).
2. Choose a U.S. exchange that publicly states compliance with General License25.
3. Complete KYC using a government‑issued ID and a proof‑of‑address document.
4. Start with small test transactions to confirm that funds move without a freeze.
5. Stay subscribed to OFAC and BIS newsletters so you get notice of any new restrictions.
By following these steps and keeping compliance front‑and‑center, Syrian crypto users can finally tap into the global digital‑asset market without the legal grayness that defined the past decade.