The U.S. Department of the Treasury blacklisted 49 bitcoin ( BTC) and monero ( XMR) addresses connected to Behrouz Parsarad, an Iran-based figure accused of overseeing the defunct Nemesis darknet marketplace (DNM), as part of persistent initiatives to disrupt fiscal channels underpinning illicit narcotics trade and digital malfeasance.
OFAC Blacklists Iran-Based Nemesis Admin, 49 Crypto Addresses in Post-Takedown Sanctions
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After Takedown, Treasury Targets Nemesis Founder and 49 Cryptocurrency Wallets
Active from 2021 until its abrupt shutdown in March 2024, the U.S. government said Nemesis functioned as a digital black market, providing an illicit bazaar for fentanyl, forged credentials, cyber intrusion utilities, and ransomware solutions. Functioning within encrypted channels reachable solely through anonymizing technologies like Tor, the platform boasted a user base exceeding 150,000 individuals and 1,100 sellers, with German participants implicated in one-fifth of exchanges.
Though arms sales were barred, Treasury analysts remarked on Tuesday that the agency estimates $30 million in narcotics commerce flowed through the site prior to termination. German authorities spearheaded the platform’s 5deactivation through a coordinated global effort, with U.S. and Lithuanian counterparts aiding in the confiscation of server infrastructure across both nations and digital currencies worth €94,000 ($102,000).
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) alliance, contributed to the probe launched in October 2022 to combat opioid distribution and darknet operations. Identified as Nemesis’ exclusive architect, Parsarad allegedly orchestrated technical operations and monetary flows, amassing seven-figure profits from transactional levies.
Blockchain analysis reveals many sanctioned wallets processed dust-sized BTC transfers alongside modest increments (2–3 BTC). Some transactions interacted with crypto exchanges FTX (now-defunct), Paribu, and Coingate, at least according to Arkham Intelligence’s flags, while others linked to a large handful of unidentified addresses. The wallets have not been active in two to three years.
Following the platform’s collapse, intelligence experts suggest he explored reviving the enterprise. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) penalized him under Executive Order 14059—a framework targeting narcotics networks—and publicized 49 cryptocurrency wallet identifiers to halt monetary activity. These measures aim to immobilize Parsarad’s U.S.-connected holdings and forbid American entities from financial interactions with him.
The move, law enforcement stated, builds on earlier sanctions against darknet hubs Hydra (2022) and Genesis (2023). Treasury representatives stressed continued focus on such platforms, noting their function in processing profits from synthetic opioids propelling America’s overdose epidemic. Investigators are now leveraging extracted server intelligence to track participants worldwide.
While no detentions have been disclosed, the penalties seek to impede resurrection attempts and demonstrate transnational determination to counter digitally facilitated criminality.
