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☆ US sanctions cryptocurrency mixer Sinbad over alleged North Korea ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a virtual currency mixer the Treasury Department said has processed millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency from major heists carried out by North Korea-linked hackers. Lazarus, which has been sanctioned by the U.S., has been accused of carrying out some of the largest virtual currency heists to date. In March 2022, for example, it allegedly stole about $620 million in virtual currency from a blockchain project linked to the online game Axie Infinity. A virtual currency mixer is a software tool that pools and scrambles cryptocurrencies from thousands of addresses. Those that engage in certain transactions with the mixer also risk being hit with sanctions.

Persons: Lazarus, Wally Adeyemo, Sinbad, Daphne Psaledakis, Kanishka Singh, Paul Grant, Chizu Nomiyama, Paul Simao Organizations: Treasury Department, North, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, United Nations, Blender, Treasury, Thomson Locations: United States, North Korea, heists, U.S, Finland, Netherlands

Bitcoin coins are seen at a stand during the Bitcoin Conference 2023, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., May 19, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. government will cut off cryptocurrency companies from the broader U.S. economy if they fail to block and report illicit money flows, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo warned the industry on Wednesday. The Biden administration on Tuesday sent a letter to Congress, requesting new legislation that would grant Treasury the authority to police crypto marketplaces used by actors the U.S. government deems illicit, Adeyemo said. Binance said in response that it had worked hard to make the platform "safer and even more secure." Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Michelle PriceOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marco Bello, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Biden, Changpeng Zhao, Binance, Hannah Lang, Michelle Price Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Blockchain Association, Treasury, Palestinian, Prosecutors, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Miami Beach , Florida, U.S, Israel, Gaza, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Iraq, Syria, Washington

☆ U.S. targets maritime companies, vessels for shipping oil above Russian price cap
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Daphne Psaledakis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The seized Russian-flagged oil tanker Pegas is seen anchored off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Vassilis Triandafyllou/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on maritime companies and vessels for shipping oil sold above the G7's price cap, as Washington seeks to close loopholes in the mechanism designed to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine. It said the vessels used U.S.-person services while transporting the Russian-origin crude oil. The cap bans Western companies from providing maritime services, including insurance, finance and shipping, for Russian seaborne oil exports sold above $60 a barrel, while seeking to keep oil flowing to markets. “Shipping companies and vessels participating in the Russian oil trade while using Price Cap Coalition service providers should fully understand that we will hold them accountable for compliance,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in the statement.

Persons: Vassilis, Wally Adeyemo, Daphne Psaledakis, Laura Sanicola, Ismail Shakil, Susan Heavey, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, The U.S . Treasury Department, United, “ Shipping, Coalition, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Russian, Karystos, Evia, Greece, United States, Washington, Moscow, Ukraine, The U.S, United Arab Emirates, U.S, Australia, Price

☆ Treasury Department's hunt for Russian oil sanction violators on the seas is intensifying
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"Management of all the Sovcomflot ships was transferred to Sun Ship Management in March/April 2022 when their offices in Europe were closed. 30 ship owners targeted in new Treasury probeThis is just one example of the murkiness within the Russian oil trade. There are grey areas in the U.S. government's Russian oil guidelines, though the efforts can ultimately lead maritime investigators to the truth. In the U.S. Treasury's "Preliminary Guidance on Implementation of a Maritime Services Policy and Related Price Exception for Seaborne Russian Oil," ship owners are under a Tier 2 category. This document could provide a "safe harbor" for ship owners who are relying on that customer's "attestation" to comply with sanctions.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Matthew Wright, Wright, it's, hasn't, They're, shipowners, Andy Lipow, Lipow, Brent Organizations: Windward, U.S . Department, Foreign Assets Control, Treasury, Shipping, Coalition, Ukraine, United, Kazan Shipping Incorporated's, Progress Shipping Company, CNBC, Sovcomflot, Management, Sun Ship Management, Maritime Services, Ship, Lipow Oil Associates, U.S . Treasury, European Union, AIS Locations: Morocco, Price, United Arab Emirates, Kazan, Kazan Shipping Incorporated's Kazan, UAE, Europe, U.S, Asia, Ukraine, Hong Kong, China, India

Moody's is the last of the three major rating agencies to maintain a top rating for the U.S. government. Fitch changed its rating from triple-A to AA+ in August, joining S&P which has had an AA+ rating since 2011. “While the statement by Moody’s maintains the United States’ AAA rating, we disagree with the shift to a negative outlook. The sharp rise in Treasury yields "has increased pre-existing pressure on US debt affordability," Moody's said. “Moody’s just downgraded our credit rating outlook to negative because of our out-of-control government spending and deficits," hardline Republican Representative Andy Harris said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Joe Biden's, Fitch, Moody's, Karine Jean, Pierre, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Biden, Quincy Krosby, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, “ Moody’s, Andy Harris, ”, Richard Rohan Francis, Davide Barbuscia, Andrea Shalal, David Morgan, Caroline Valetkevitch, Ira Iosebashvili, Megan Davies, Shilpi Majumdar, Shounak Dasgupta, David Gregorio, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, . House, U.S ., Aaa, White, Republican, States ’ AAA, Treasury, Reserve, LPL, New York Times, Republicans, Democratic, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, WASHINGTON, American, Siena, Nevada , Georgia, Arizona , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Trump, Wisconsin

☆ Moody's changes US ratings outlook to negative, affirms AAA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 10 (Reuters) - Moody's on Friday changed the outlook on the government of United States of America's ratings to "negative" from "stable". Moody's affirmed the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings at "Aaa". COMMENTS:REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE ANDY HARRIS, ON X SOCIAL MEDIA“Moody’s just downgraded our credit rating outlook to negative because of our out-of-control government spending and deficits. "I don't think that there is a significant consequence. WALLY ADEYEMO, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY"While the statement by Moody’s maintains the United States’ Aaa rating, we disagree with the shift to a negative outlook.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Moody's, ANDY HARRIS, JOHN CORNYN, ” STEVEN RICCHIUTO, you've, ” THIERRY WIZMAN, MACQUARIE, “ Moody’s, ” MICHAEL GREEN, JACK ABLIN, CHICAGO “, it's, ”, ” QUINCY KROSBY, CAROL SCHLEIF, We've, CHRISTOPHER HODGE, KARINE JEAN, PIERRE, Moody’s, WALLY ADEYEMO, Biden Organizations: REUTERS, Aaa, Moody’s Investors Service, Capitol, FX, NEW, Republicans, Democrats, BMO, KARINE, Republican, Congressional Republicans, States ’ Aaa, Biden Administration, Global Finance, Markets, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, United States, MIZUHO, Japan, CHICAGO, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, MINNEAPOLIS , MN, American

The White House is seen at dusk on September 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. Moody's Investors Service on Friday lowered its ratings outlook on the United States' government to negative from stable, pointing to rising risks to the nation's fiscal strength. The ratings agency has affirmed the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings of the U.S. at Aaa. Moody's move to cut its outlook arrives as Congress faces the looming threat of a government shutdown once more. "Moody's decision to change the U.S. outlook is yet another consequence of Congressional Republican extremism and dysfunction," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Persons: Moody's, Wally Adeyemo, Mike Johnson, Karine Jean, Pierre, Fitch Organizations: Moody's, Aaa, United States, Republican, White, Democratic, AAA Locations: Washington ,, United States, Washington, United, American, Jan, U.S

☆ Biden officials reject Moody's shift to 'negative' outlook, point to Republican 'dysfunction'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks to United Auto Workers (UAW) union members in Belvidere, Illinois, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Top Biden administration officials on Friday rejected a decision by Moody's ratings agency to downgrade its U.S. economic outlook to negative from stable, calling the shift a reflection of what they called "extremism and dysfunction" among congressional Republicans. “While the statement by Moody’s maintains the United States’ AAA rating, we disagree with the shift to a negative outlook. The American economy remains strong, and Treasury securities are the world’s preeminent safe and liquid asset," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the change was "yet another consequence of congressional Republican extremism and dysfunction."

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, “, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, Karine Jean, Pierre, Andrea Shalal Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, States ’ AAA, Republican, Thomson Locations: Belvidere , Illinois, U.S, American

☆ Moody’s sends a warning to America: Your last AAA credit rating is at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jason Moon | Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The United States is one step closer to losing its last perfect credit rating after Moody’s Investors Service changed the outlook of the nation’s debt to negative on Friday after markets closed. These effects would likely be even more painful if Moody’s does eventually downgrade the US debt. The nation’s diminished fiscal strength, undone by extreme partisanship in Washington, was a key driver of the action, according to a statement from Moody’s. Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United States for the first time in 2011, following the debt ceiling standoff then. In August, Fitch Ratings knocked America’s credit rating down after the most recent debt ceiling debate.

Persons: America’s, Wally Adeyemo, “, Moody’s, Poor’s, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: New, New York CNN, Moody’s Investors Service, United, AAA, Fitch, House Press, Republican, Treasury Locations: New York, United States, Washington, Moody’s, ”, American

WASHINGTON (AP) — The credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service lowered its outlook on the U.S. government's debt on Friday to “negative” from “stable,” citing the cost of rising interest rates and political polarization in Congress. Moody's retained its top triple-A credit rating on U.S. government debt, though it is the last of the three major credit rating agencies to do so. A reduced outlook, however, raises the risk that Moody's could eventually strip its triple-A rating from the U.S. as well. A lower rating on U.S. debt could cost taxpayers if it leads borrowers to demand higher interest rates on Treasury bills and notes. Analysts have warned that with interest rates heading higher, interest costs on the national debt will eat up a rising share of tax revenue.

Persons: Moody's, Fitch, Biden, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, “, ” Moody's Organizations: WASHINGTON, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch, AAA, Poor's, Treasury, States ’ Aaa Locations: American, Washington, U.S

☆ US Treasury's Adeyemo Sees More Actions Against Hamas in Coming Days, Weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"We're going to see actions taken by our allies and partners," Adeyemo said. Since the Palestinian militant group's deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Washington has imposed two rounds of sanctions on Hamas. Nelson "pledged continued engagement with those who have taken proactive steps to investigate, identify, and disrupt Hamas-related activity," the Treasury said. Such transactions combining pools of assets or delaying transaction processing can hide the beneficial ownership of crypto assets, Adeyemo said. (Reporting by Andea Shalal in New York and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by David Lawder, Editing by Howard Goller)

Persons: Andrea Shalal, Daphne Psaledakis NEW, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Brian Nelson, Nelson, doesn't, Andea Shalal, Daphne Psaledakis, David Lawder, Howard Goller Organizations: WASHINGTON, ., Reuters NEXT, Treasury, Terrorism, Financial Intelligence, FOCUS, USA Locations: Israel, Washington, Europe, New York

☆ Reuters NEXT Treasury's Adeyemo says 'far better' to see Russia buying tankers than tanks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo on Thursday said the Group of Seven-led coalition that imposed a price cap on Russian oil last December was shifting its focus from reducing Russian revenues to raising Moscow's cost of shipping its oil. "From my standpoint, them buying these tankers and spending money on tankers was far better than spending money on tanks," he said. It also means that enforcing the price cap will have limited impact on Russian revenues. G7 countries and Australia imposed sanctions in December 2022 that prohibit shippers or insurers domiciled in member countries from offering services to facilitate Russian oil exports when the price is above $60 a barrel. He gave no further details on what steps could be taken to increase Russia's costs.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Andrea Shalal, Deepa Babington Organizations: Reuters NEXT, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York, Ukraine, Russia, refiners, China, India, Australia, Western

☆ Congress Must Aid Fight Against Illicit Use of Crypto, Treasury Official Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Richard Vanderford | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo. Photo: daniel leal/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesA senior Treasury Department official said the Biden administration wants new powers from Congress to aid in a crackdown on the illicit use of cryptocurrencies, citing digital asset flows allegedly connected to Palestinian militant group Hamas. Treasury has been in communication with Democrats and Republicans about actions that they could take, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said Tuesday in Washington at the annual meeting of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, a trade group.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, daniel leal, Biden Organizations: Agence France, Treasury Department, Hamas, Treasury, Securities Industry, Financial Markets Association Locations: Washington

☆ U.S. Looks to Allay European Fears of a Subsidy War
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration is trying to ease European concerns about America’s new climate and tax law, which some allies view as a protectionist industrial policy that threatens their economies. More than a year after passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, European officials are still frustrated by the legislation, which included more than $300 billion in spending and tax credits aimed at bolstering America’s clean energy industry. U.S. allies have complained that the legislation puts them at a disadvantage by making their economies a less attractive place to invest given the scale of the American incentives. With wars intensifying in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Biden administration is looking to assuage those concerns and send a clear message to its closest allies that America is not trying to start a subsidy war. “I want to be clear: It does neither.”

Persons: Biden, Wally Adeyemo, “, ” Locations: U.S, Ukraine, America, Germany

☆ Treasury's new Hamas sanctions target middlemen, shell companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jason Gewirtz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The United States Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions targeting Hamas' fundraising network Friday, the department's second attempt to block Hamas' money supply since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed 1,400 Israelis and saw another 200 Israelis taken hostage. Speaking from Doha, he said Treasury officials have stepped up their efforts to stop the money flow to Hamas in recent days. "While Hamas itself has been under sanctions for decades, we must go after new, emerging shell companies, middlemen, and facilitators," he said. "If they do not act to prevent illicit financial flows, the United States and our partners will." The charity, "serves as a recruiting tool for terrorist activities," Treasury said in its sanctions announcement.

Persons: Brian Nelson, Nelson, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Mahmud Hams, Matt Levitt, Levitt Organizations: United States Treasury Department, Treasury, Terrorism, Financial Intelligence, CNBC, Brigades, Afp, Getty, Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Bank, Charity Association, Washington Institute for Near East, Capitol, Hamas Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Gulf, Doha, London, United States, Gaza City, Gaza, Mahmud, Turkey, Spain, Sudan

LONDON (AP) —The United States on Friday expanded its effort to cut off funding for Hamas, announcing a second round of sanctions against people and organizations linked to the group since it launched an attack on Israel that killed more than 1,400 people. The new sanctions highlight Iran’s role in providing financial, logistical and operational support to Hamas, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement. They include a Hamas representative in Iran and members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard. The U.S. also sanctioned a number of organizations, including the Iranian Bonyad Shahid, also known as the Martyrs Foundation. They also block financial transactions with those designated and prohibit the contribution of funds, goods and services to them.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, America’s, “, ” Adeyemo, Khaled Qaddoumi, Ali Morshed Shirazi, Mostafa Mohammad Khani, Shahid Organizations: U.S . Treasury Department’s, Foreign, Control, Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ Qods Force, Martyrs Foundation ., Palestinian, Charity Association Locations: United States, Israel, Iran, London, Britain, States, U.S, Gaza

☆ Biden officials set $3 bln bank deposit, procurement goals to boost minority firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Wednesday urged big companies to deposit another $2 billion into U.S. community lenders to boost loans to minority and underserved businesses, and asked them to devote 15% of their procurement budgets to such firms. Alphabet Inc's Google (GOOGL.O) will commit to spending at least $1 billion annually with "diverse-owned suppliers" in the United States, the Treasury said. The Treasury had previously invested nearly $9 billion into Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority-owned banking firms to make more capital available to minority firms. "In order for these minority owned banks and CDFIs to lend that money, they need deposits," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Harris, Wally Adeyemo, David Lawder, Sonali Paul Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Wednesday, Micron Technology, Air Products, Xcel Energy, Treasury Department, Treasury, Freedman's Bank, Community Development Financial, Management, Internal Revenue Service, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States

☆ US teams with Middle Eastern nations to target 'secret' Hamas investment portfolio as Israeli forces prepare for operation in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The United States along with some Middle Eastern nations are stepping up efforts to target a “secret” Hamas investment portfolio government officials believe to be worth up to $1 billion. To target the Hamas investment portfolio, a US official said Tuesday the Treasury Department is working with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The official added that the portfolio is generating significant amounts of revenue for Hamas. Hamas' armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades destroy an Israeli forces' tank near Gaza City, Gaza on October 07. Hani Alshaer/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesNelson urged the Gulf nations to share more information on the parts of the Hamas financial ecosystem “vulnerable to disruption” and called on member countries to take action.

Persons: ” Brian Nelson, Hani Alshaer, Nelson, ” Nelson, ”, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, FinCEN Organizations: New, New York CNN, Treasury Department, Gulf Cooperation, United, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, GCC, Treasury, Hamas, United Arab, Anadolu Agency, Getty, ”, Network Locations: New York, United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, United Arab, Israel, US, Riyadh, Sudan, Algeria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Treasury’s, Gaza City, Gaza, Europe

☆ U.S. Targets Crypto Mixers Over Money Laundering Risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Ian Talley | Mengqi Sun | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, pictured during an event in September, said the department “is aggressively combating illicit use of all aspects of the [convertible virtual currency] ecosystem by terrorist groups “ Photo: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg NewsThe Biden administration designated international cryptocurrency platforms commonly known as “mixers” as primary money-laundering hubs that threaten national security. The U.S. Treasury Department’s unprecedented proposal—using laws usually deployed against foreign banks and foreign jurisdictions—will require special record-keeping and reporting for any financial transactions involving international mixers. The potential targeting of an entire class of transaction represents a significant regulatory step meant to shape the future of the global financial system.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Michael Nagle Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Bloomberg, Biden, U.S . Treasury Locations: U.S

☆ U.S. Cites Hamas in Designating Foreign Crypto Mixers as Money-Laundering Hubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration is set Thursday to designate international “mixers,” cryptocurrency exchanges that provide customers anonymity, as money-laundering hubs that threaten national security. The designation, a form of sanction, will require special reporting for any financial transactions. The Treasury Department’s action, using one its most powerful weapons to combat illicit finance, represents a significant regulatory step meant to shape the future of the global financial system. “Today’s action underscores Treasury’s commitment to combating the exploitation of Convertible Virtual Currency mixing by a broad range of illicit actors, including state-affiliated cyber actors, cyber criminals, and terrorist groups,” said Wally Adeyemo, deputy Treasury secretary. “More broadly, the Treasury Department is aggressively combating illicit use of all aspects of the CVC ecosystem by terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”

Persons: Biden, ”, Wally Adeyemo, “ Organizations: Treasury, Convertible, Treasury Department

A bronze seal for the Department of the Treasury is shown at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2023. If finalized, the rule would require financial firms to report information about transactions that they suspect involve crypto mixers, which are anonymized software tools that allow users to conceal the source or owner of digital assets. * On Wednesday, the Biden administration issued sanctions to disrupt Hamas' funding, which included a Gaza-based crypto exchange. * The U.S. last year imposed sanctions on crypto mixers Tornado Cash and Blender. Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; editing by Michelle Price and Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, Biden, ”, Wally Adeyemo, Hannah Lang, Michelle Price, Deepa Babington Organizations: Department of, U.S . Treasury, REUTERS, U.S . Treasury Department’s, Hamas, U.S ., Reuters, U.S, Convertible, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Gaza, Washington

The funds were moved to Qatari accounts as part of a broad deal to secure the release of five Americans whom the US deemed had been wrongfully detained in Iran. There were bipartisan calls to freeze the funds in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks in Israel this weekend. Still, the “quiet understanding” not to move the money right now appears to be largely symbolic, given the strict restrictions that were already tied to the funds. Blinken did not confirm that “a quiet understanding” had been reached but made clear the US is able to freeze the funds. The process for Iran to be able to spend the funds was expected to take months, if not years.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, ” Blinken, John Kirby, “ It’s, “, we’ve, Saturday’s, CNN’s Jim Sciutto, Max Organizations: CNN, Saturday, Democrats, Administration, National Security Council, White, State Department Locations: United States, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Qatari

Mexico and China are the primary sources for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the U.S., according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is tasked with combating illicit drug trafficking. And last year a group of Republican attorneys general asked the president to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. The U.S. has taken a slew of actions to stem the tide of fentanyl coming into the country. And state lawmakers nationwide are responding to the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history by pushing harsher penalties for possessing fentanyl. It would also impose reporting requirements and enable the president to confiscate sanctioned property of fentanyl traffickers to use for law enforcement efforts.

Persons: “, ”, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Biden, General Merrick Garland, Lindsay Whitehurst Organizations: WASHINGTON, United States, Treasury, Justice, Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S . Postal, Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Republican, Disease Control, Banking, Armed Services, Associated Locations: U.S, China, Canada, United, Mexico, Sinaloa, Mexican, Wilmington , Delaware

☆ Yellen says U.S. 'soft landing' can weather strike, govt shutdown, student loan risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during an interview in New York City, U.S., September 18, 2023. President Joe Biden's administration is working to encourage both sides to resolve the strike quickly, Yellen said. The U.S. Treasury market "continues to function pretty well" despite higher rates and some volatility, she said. But nothing that is really out of line with what you would expect given the volatility in the underlying market," Yellen added. CHINA "DE-RISKING"She said China's economic slowdown would have a limited impact on U.S. growth, echoing recent comments from Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Shannon Stapleton, Yellen, Joe Biden's, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Wally Adeyemo, Gina Raimondo's, David Lawder, Chizu Organizations: Treasury, REUTERS, . Treasury, Reuters, United Auto Workers, Federal Reserve, UAW, Detroit automakers, Republicans, U.S . Senate, U.S . Treasury, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Detroit, United States, CHINA, China

☆ U.S. to sanction five Turkey-based firms over accusations of Russia support
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin grimaces during his joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured), September 4,2023, in Sochi, Russia. Getty ImagesThe Biden administration is set to impose sanctions on five Turkish companies and a Turkish national on Thursday, accusing them of helping Russia evade sanctions and supporting Moscow in its war against Ukraine, a senior Treasury official said. Multiple senior U.S. officials, including Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, have traveled to Turkey since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine as part of a pressure campaign to prevent any Turkish companies from helping Russia circumvent U.S. curbs. Wally Adeyemo, deputy U.S. Treasury secretary, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. "These designations reflect our ongoing commitment to target individuals and entities who provide material support to sanctioned entities," the official added.

Persons: Vladimir Putin grimaces, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Biden, reconvenes, Wally Adeyemo, Ting Shen, we've Organizations: Turkish, Getty, Treasury, NATO, U.S, Department of Justice, Washington , D.C, Bloomberg Locations: Sochi, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Turkey, Washington, Ankara, Sweden, United States, Sea, Washington ,, Turkish

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