The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in coordination with the U.K. government, has imposed sweeping sanctions targeting Chen Zhi, leader of the Prince Group Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO).

The action includes four Bitcoin addresses collectively holding around 15,957 BTC, valued at approximately $1.78 billion when the sanctions were announced on October 14, 2025. This marks one of the largest single-party crypto-related OFAC designations to date.

Immediately after the Treasury’s announcement, Scorechain’s blockchain analytics platform identified and updated all four sanctioned Bitcoin addresses, ensuring real-time visibility for compliance teams and financial institutions using its system.

The Sanctioned Bitcoin Addresses

The four Bitcoin addresses identified by OFAC and tracked by Scorechain are:

• bc1qnujzvts45qka3cr2eqqw8ur3q6g6s0ze2wlk5m holding approximately 2,535.15 BTC (~$282.89M)
  
• bc1qw4fxztd5u3sl7vrcqwk2a8v5zh5dllvckx3tlt holding approximately 3,424 BTC (~$382.07M)
  
• bc1qeth6n6ryxexvkx34wnx3nuynun4474h3j0gkhw holding approximately 4,999 BTC (~$557.82M)
  
• bc1q2we5eqjj8je6lz9xwjattpc3pn4jejc5h0s70f holding approximately 4,999 BTC (~$557.94M)
  

Together, these addresses represent a total of roughly $1.78 billion in Bitcoin, all now listed on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. Transactions involving these wallets are prohibited for U.S. persons and entities under OFAC regulations.

Scorechain’s Real-Time Sanctions Tracking

Within minutes of the OFAC release, Scorechain automatically flagged and labeled the four Bitcoin addresses as sanctioned. The entity has been added to the platform under the name “Chen Zhi – Prince Group TCO (OFAC)”, allowing users to instantly identify and monitor any related exposure.

Each wallet carries a Critical Risk Score (1/10) and the red flag label “Sanction List” in Scorechain’s compliance system. Users can screen transactions, activate alerts, and trace any movements connected to these wallets across the Bitcoin network.

OFAC’s Focus on Crypto-Enabled Crime

According to OFAC, the Prince Group TCO is responsible for orchestrating large-scale online scams, human trafficking, forced labor, and money laundering operations across Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. The organization reportedly used digital assets and financial intermediaries to move illicit funds internationally while concealing their origins.

This coordinated action by the U.S. and U.K. reflects an expanding global effort to combat cyber-enabled financial crime and to target networks that exploit cryptocurrencies to facilitate illegal activity.

Strengthening Compliance with Blockchain Analytics

The Chen Zhi designation demonstrates why real-time blockchain analytics are crucial in sanctions compliance. As regulators increase scrutiny on crypto activity, Scorechain’s analytics platform enables compliance teams to:

• Detect direct and indirect exposure to sanctioned wallets
  
• Map transaction flows connected to high-risk entities
  
• Automate sanctions alerts and ongoing monitoring
  
• Access detailed entity profiles for due diligence and audits
  

By combining regulatory data with on-chain analysis, Scorechain provides organizations with an always-updated view of global sanctions exposure.

Key Takeaways

The OFAC sanctions against Chen Zhi and the Prince Group TCO mark a significant step in disrupting crypto-enabled transnational crime. With more enforcement actions expected, real-time monitoring and automated compliance updates are essential to prevent inadvertent exposure.

Scorechain continues to track these Bitcoin addresses and related blockchain activity, keeping users informed and compliant with the latest OFAC sanctions data.

Official OFAC Press Release: home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0278

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