Tether Freezes $1.6M in USDT Linked to Gaza-Based Terrorist Financing
Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze and reissue about $1.6 million in digital assets tied to wallets associated with BuyCash, a Gaza-based financial network allegedly linked to terrorism financing. The seizure forms part of a broader civil forfeiture case announced by the U.S. Department of Justice, which involves roughly $2 million in cryptocurrency assets connected to designated terrorist organizations. The wallets were identified on the secondary market during an investigation coordinated with law enforcement agencies. Following the alert, Tether froze the USDT in question and reissued the equivalent amount to aid lawful recovery. Part of Broader Crackdown on Illicit Crypto Use The case involving BuyCash is the latest in a series of enforcement actions involving Tether. Over the past year, the company has participated in multiple international investigations, including a seizure in Brazil earlier this month, where authorities blocked approximately $6.2 million linked to a cross-border money laundering operation. That case involved a criminal network using the Klever Wallet crypto platform. Tether also supported the U.S. Department of Justice in a June enforcement action that resulted in the seizure of $225 million in USDT. In a separate incident in March, the firm helped the U.S. Secret Service freeze $23 million tied to the Russian-sanctioned crypto exchange Garantex and $9 million related to the Bybit hack. Global Law Enforcement Cooperation To date, Tether says it has assisted more than 275 law enforcement agencies across 59 jurisdictions and has frozen over $2.9 billion in USDT associated with illicit activities. The company has blocked more than 5,000 wallets, over 2,800 of which were in coordination with U.S. authorities. Tether maintains that it adheres to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals list and other national regulatory frameworks when taking such actions. Company CEO Paolo Ardoino said the ability to trace and freeze digital assets demonstrates the value of blockchain transparency in combating financial crime. Tether reiterated its commitment to continuing support for global law enforcement efforts and regulatory compliance in future cases.
BitMine Stock Begins Options Trading on NYSE
BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc. began trading options on its common stock Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange, marking a key financial development for the crypto mining firm as it pursues a growing stake in Ethereum. The company disclosed the new development in a July 23, 2025 press release. The listing, under ticker symbol BMNR, introduces a range of standard strike prices and expiration dates, offering traders new tools to hedge or speculate on BitMine’s stock. Options trading on BitMine shares will be cleared through the Options Clearing Corporation and will follow NYSE and OCC regulatory standards. New Access for Investors BitMine, which operates crypto mining infrastructure and trades publicly on the NYSE American exchange, announced the move as part of a broader effort to expand market access. The company said it expects the addition of listed options to potentially improve share liquidity and give investors more flexibility in portfolio risk management. Options contracts allow market participants to buy or sell stock at predetermined prices before a set expiration date, commonly used for risk hedging or speculative trading. The availability of such instruments often draws more diverse market participants, particularly institutional traders. The company did not disclose any financial terms related to the listing or trading volume projections. Ethereum Strategy in Focus BitMine has drawn attention in recent months after announcing plans to acquire up to 5% of the global Ethereum (ETH) supply, a strategy that sets it apart from Bitcoin-focused mining peers. The company has framed its Ethereum holdings as a long-term treasury asset, though it has not publicly detailed a specific acquisition timeline. Thomas Lee, Chairman of BitMine’s Board and co-founder of market research firm Fundstrat Global Advisors, said the listing of stock options reflects increased market interest in the company’s long-term vision. BitMine has not yet reached significant ETH holdings, and regulatory filings related to the acquisition strategy remain limited. The firm continues to operate in the crypto mining space using immersion technology, which it says offers improved thermal efficiency compared to traditional setups. Regulatory Oversight Remains Key As with all listed options, trading in BMNR options is subject to market risk and regulatory compliance. The NYSE and OCC will oversee trading activity, ensuring adherence to established rules. BitMine shares continue to trade under the BMNR symbol on NYSE American, with options now offering investors a new layer of exposure to the company’s stock movement.
