OFAC Sanctions List

Definition ∞ The OFAC Sanctions List, maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, identifies individuals, entities, and countries with whom U.S. persons and entities are generally prohibited from conducting financial transactions. This list, formally known as the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), is a critical tool for enforcing U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. Compliance requires financial institutions, including those dealing with digital assets, to screen their transactions against this list.
Context ∞ The OFAC Sanctions List has gained significant relevance in the digital asset space as regulators increasingly expect cryptocurrency exchanges and service providers to adhere to sanctions compliance. Key discussions revolve around the technical challenges of screening decentralized transactions and the legal obligations of various blockchain participants. Future developments will likely involve enhanced guidance from OFAC regarding digital asset-specific compliance requirements and enforcement actions.