News linked to both this project and an event.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the cryptocurrency company of President Donald Trump's family. (Jin10)
According to an official announcement, the digital asset trading platform Websea has reached an investment agreement with a strategic investor and will officially resume withdrawals at 16:00 (UTC+8) on May 18, simultaneously releasing the specific withdrawal arrangements. The strategic investment is reported to come from a Middle Eastern family fund. The two parties conducted multiple rounds of in-depth discussions on core topics including the platform’s asset status, business structure optimization, recovery roadmap design, and long-term development planning, ultimately reaching a consensus on cooperation. Currently, the investor is proceeding with fund injection per the established process, while concurrently conducting legal due diligence, signing agreements, and finalizing equity arrangements.
According to a Reuters investigation, Nobitex—the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Iran—was founded by members of the Kharrazi family, who maintain close ties to Iran’s highest leadership. The investigation found that the exchange was established by brothers Ali and Mohammad Kharrazi, who previously used the surname “Aghamir” to conceal their connection to the Kharrazi family—a family long embedded in Iran’s political inner circle, including historical links to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his successors. The report states that Nobitex currently serves over 11 million users and dominates Iran’s cryptocurrency market. It continued operating during Iran’s conflicts with the United States and Israel—even amid nationwide internet blackouts—and processed transactions throughout. Analysts estimate its trading volume exceeded $100 million during wartime, accompanied by substantial outflows of funds overseas. Additionally, multiple on-chain analytics firms have identified that the platform processed transactions linked to sanctioned entities, with estimated volumes ranging from $22 million to $366 million. Data also shows that wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran transferred hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency assets to Nobitex in 2025—widely believed to be an effort to circumvent financial sanctions. Nobitex has denied any government affiliation and stated that illicit transactions constitute only a small fraction of its overall business.
Nobitex, Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, was founded by members of the Kharrazi family, who have close ties to Iran's supreme leadership. Investigations show the exchange was created by brothers Ali and Mohammad Kharrazi, who previously used the surname "Aghamir" to conceal their connection to the Kharrazi family. This family has long-standing, deep ties to Iran's political core, including historical links to Ali Khamenei and his successors.The report indicates that Nobitex currently serves over 11 million users, dominates the Iranian crypto market, and has continued operating throughout conflicts between Iran, the United States, and Israel, even processing transactions during nationwide internet blackouts. Analysts say its trading volume exceeded $100 million during wartime, with significant funds flowing overseas.Additionally, multiple on-chain analytics firms point out that the platform has processed transactions linked to sanctioned entities, with estimated volumes ranging from $22 million to $366 million. Other data shows that wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran transferred hundreds of millions of dollars worth of crypto assets to Nobitex in 2025, allegedly to circumvent financial sanctions. Nobitex denies any connection to the government, stating that illegal transactions represent only a small fraction of its overall business. (Cointelegraph)
According to The Block, a U.S. court sentenced Maximilien de Hoop Cartier—a descendant of the Cartier jewelry family—to eight years in prison for operating an unlicensed over-the-counter cryptocurrency exchange. Prosecutors stated that the exchange transferred over $470 million in drug proceeds through U.S. bank accounts to Colombia. Prosecutors alleged that Maximilien de Hoop Cartier falsely claimed his companies engaged in software publishing and software development. In reality, these companies were used to receive and transfer drug money and other illicit proceeds: drug funds were received in cryptocurrency, converted into fiat currency, deposited into shell company accounts under his control, and then forwarded to other nodes within the money-laundering network. These funds were ultimately withdrawn in Colombian pesos in Colombia. In addition to imprisonment, Maximilien de Hoop Cartier was ordered to pay a fine of approximately $2.36 million—representing commissions he earned from participating in the fraud scheme. The court also ordered the forfeiture of specific bank accounts held in the names of shell companies used in the scheme.