MEXC and U.S. restrictions: what FinCEN’s order means
The U.S. Treasury has announced restrictions on transfers involving MEXC Global, citing the exchange’s transactions benefiting Iran, North Korea and Russia. The prohibition on U.S. financial institutions takes effect 30 days after the order is published in the Federal Register.
The restrictions imposed by FinCEN
On November 6, 2026, the U.S. Treasury announced a FinCEN order against MEXC Global. It prohibits covered U.S. financial institutions from sending or receiving funds involving the exchange. The restriction also covers its subsidiaries, branches and successor entities outside the United States.
FinCEN issued the order under Section 9714 of the Combating Russian Money Laundering Act. The regulator designated MEXC a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern in connection with Russian illicit finance.
The effective-date period runs from publication in the Federal Register, the U.S. government’s official publication for federal documents. As of November 7, the version of the order posted by FinCEN does not specify a calendar date.
The transactions cited by Treasury
Treasury estimates that MEXC processed at least $16 billion in illicit transactions between May 2021 and May 2026, linking the activity to sanctions evasion and cybercrime. Its announcement highlights the following amounts:
- Nearly $1.5 billion in transactions linked to Russian sanctions evasion, including through Garantex and Grinex.
- Approximately $1 billion in direct transactions with more than 40 identified Iranian crypto exchangers.
- Almost $200 million in transactions connected to the A7A5 stablecoin.