When governments impose financial sanctions, they expect to cut off access to the global banking system. But sanctions evasion, the act of circumventing state-imposed financial restrictions using alternative systems. Also known as financial circumvention, it's not a theoretical loophole—it's happening every day through cryptocurrency networks that don't need banks to operate. Countries like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela have seen massive spikes in crypto use not because people love Bitcoin, but because their local currencies are collapsing and traditional banks won't touch them. Meanwhile, individuals in places like Nigeria, Vietnam, and Bolivia use crypto to send money home, buy essentials, or save value—no permission needed.
This isn't just about rogue states. crypto remittances, cross-border money transfers using digital assets instead of Western Union or SWIFT. Also known as blockchain payments, it's cutting costs from over 6% to under 1%—a game-changer for families relying on overseas income. In Vietnam, even though stablecoins are banned, millions still use USDT to pay for goods and send money abroad. In Mexico, the FinTech Law lets people hold crypto but blocks banks from touching it—so people use peer-to-peer apps instead. These aren't criminal acts in most cases—they're survival tactics. And they're made possible by decentralized finance, financial services built on open networks without central authorities. Also known as DeFi, it lets anyone with a phone and internet access lend, swap, or store value without asking a bank for approval. Platforms like JetSwap, BloctoSwap, and PancakeSwap don’t ask for IDs, don’t freeze accounts, and don’t report to regulators. That’s why they’re popular in places under sanctions.
But here’s the catch: not every crypto project is a tool for freedom. Some, like NODEMETA and Tranquil Finance, pretend to be legitimate while quietly stealing funds. Others, like C2CX and Lucent, don’t even exist—they’re pure scams that prey on people desperate to bypass the system. The same technology that empowers ordinary people can also be weaponized by fraudsters. That’s why understanding the difference matters. The posts below show you exactly how sanctions evasion plays out in real crypto projects: which ones are tools for survival, which are traps, and how to spot the difference before you lose your money.
Iran turned to cryptocurrency to bypass international sanctions, using Bitcoin mining and state-approved exchanges to fund imports and move money abroad. But a $90M hack, energy crises, and global crackdowns exposed the strategy’s deep flaws.