OFAC Issues General License and Updates Sanctions List Related to International Criminal Court and Venezuela

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued General License 12, which authorizes the wind-down of transactions involving certain persons who were blocked on August 18, 2026. This license provides legal clearance for specific activities that would otherwise be prohibited under existing sanctions. Additionally, OFAC has updated its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, including individuals and entities linked to the International Criminal Court and Venezuela.

Among the individuals newly listed are Tomoko Akane from the Netherlands, born in Japan, and Abdoulaye Seye from the Netherlands, originally from Senegal. Both are designated under ICC-related sanctions. The list also includes Bluwaves Properties Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, linked to Venezuela.

These actions reflect ongoing efforts by OFAC to enforce international sanctions and control measures related to criminal and geopolitical issues. The new license and updated list are part of the U.S. government's broader strategy to restrict financial activities involving designated persons and entities, including those operating within the crypto and financial sectors.

The designations and licenses are effective immediately and are intended to clarify permissible activities and reinforce compliance obligations for financial institutions and crypto platforms operating in or with connections to the affected jurisdictions.