Two crypto billionaires sit behind both the Trump family token and Iran's sanctions-evasion engine

Nobitex, Iran’s largest crypto exchange, processed at least $2.3bn since 2023 using the Tron and BNB Chain networks. Public blockchain data attributed about $2bn of the flows to Tron and $317m to BNB Chain since January 1, 2023. After the Iran war began in February, the reported amounts were $22.6m on BNB Chain and $550,000 via Tron. Analysts said the calculations were sound, while an independent investigator said the true figure was likely higher because only known Nobitex addresses are visible and the exchange has switched addresses to avoid tracing. The White House denied any link to Iran’s banking system, World Liberty said it has no relationship with Nobitex and follows U.S. law, Nobitex said illicit funds passed without management approval, and Tron said it cannot monitor every user and transaction.

"Reuters’ breakdown of public blockchain data, sourced from Arkham, puts about $2bn of the Nobitex flow on Tron and $317m on BNB Chain since 1 January 2023, with $22.6m on BNB Chain and $550,000 via Tron since the Iran war began in February."

"Four crypto analysts called the calculation sound; independent investigator Rich Sanders said the true figure was probably higher, since public flows are visible only for known Nobitex addresses and the exchange has admitted to switching addresses to avoid tracing."

"A spokeswoman for World Liberty said the company 'has no relationship with Nobitex and follows U.S. law', adding that 'World Liberty does not own, operate, or control Tron in any way, and has no authority over transactions conducted on it'. Nobitex said any illicit funds passed through the exchange 'without management approval or awareness'."

"A Tron spokeswoman said the network 'is a technology provider' that cannot 'monitor and investigate every user and every transaction'. The White House response, from spokeswoman Anna Kelly, described the article as 'bizarre attempts to link President Trump to Iran's banking system' that were 'totally laughable'."

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