Stablecoin A7A5 grows parallel system for sanctioned companies

CoinTelegraph

by Aaron Wood

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Stablecoin ecosystem A7A5 has come under scrutiny for its alleged role in creating a parallel financial system that enables sanctions evasion. As cryptocurrency continues to integrate with traditional finance, concerns have risen about its potential misuse to bypass international sanctions. According to TRM Labs’ January report, illicit crypto activity surged to an all-time high of $158 billion, with significant portions tied to sanctions-related transactions. A7A5, a Russian ruble-based stablecoin launched by Russia-based company A7, has been identified as a key player in this trend, accounting for nearly $39 billion in sanctions-related crypto flows. The emergence of such systems highlights the growing interconnection between cryptocurrency and traditional finance, which is also fostering the development of alternative financial networks outside conventional regulatory frameworks. This parallel system poses significant risks, particularly in enabling entities under economic sanctions to circumvent restrictions. A7A5’s role in facilitating these transactions underscores the potential for cryptocurrencies to create shadow financial ecosystems that operate beyond the reach of traditional oversight. TRM Labs’ findings reveal a concerning trend: as global sanctions increase, so does the reliance on crypto-based solutions to evade them. The $39 billion attributed to A7A5 demonstrates how stablecoins can be weaponized to bypass

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Originally published on CoinTelegraph on 2/20/2026