EU approves new sanction violation rules that include measures for freezing crypto assets

Quick Take

EU lawmakers voted in favor of new rules to tackle sanction violations that include ways tocrypto service providers and freeze digital assets.

European Union lawmakers have approved new rules to crack down on sanctions violations, including those involving cryptocurrencies.

On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted to implement new sanction violation laws involving travel bans, arms embargoes, restrictions on business sectors and the freezing of assets, including crypto-assets and wallets.

"We need this legislation because diverging national approaches have created weaknesses and loopholes, and it will allow for frozen assets to be confiscated," Dutch MEP Sophie in ’t Veld said in a statement.

Stronger punishments for violations

The new directive sets out stronger punishments for violating or circumventing sanctions. The new laws make sanctions transgressions criminal offenses carrying prison sentences of a maximum of five years in all member states.

Lawmakers representing the 27 EU member states cast 543 votes in favor of the new rules, with 45 voting against and 27 abstentions.

The new EU legislation was prompted by concerns that the bloc's sanctions against Russia were being circumvented.

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