Check the exchange or wallet provider as a business, and check each relevant wallet address separately. For a U.S.-focused check, use OFAC’s official Sanctions List Search; a clean address result is not an all-clear for the provider, its owners, or a transaction. The applicable rules depend on your jurisdiction and the transaction.
First, decide which sanctions rules apply
Sanctions are jurisdiction-specific. Start with the person or business involved, where it operates, and the transaction’s connections to particular countries. An OFAC search is useful for a U.S.-focused check, but it does not replace checks under applicable UK, Australian, UN, EU, or other regimes.
If you are assessing a firm, check the relevant financial-services regulator’s register as well as sanctions lists. The UK financial regulators’ joint statement on cryptoasset sanctions advises firms to check the FCA register or the equivalent register in the jurisdiction where a cryptoasset firm is based.
How to check an exchange or hosted-wallet provider
An exchange or hosted-wallet provider is a business, so search for the legal entity—not just the brand or website name. OFAC defines hosted wallet providers as businesses that create and store wallets for customers; hosted wallets may also offer exchange and payment services. (OFAC FAQ 559, released October 15, 2021.)
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches#1 Best Overall
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
- Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
- Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.
- Identify the entity. Find the provider’s legal name and any known aliases or name variations. A brand name alone may not identify the business that operates the service.
- Search applicable sanctions lists. For a U.S.-focused check, search relevant OFAC lists for the entity and its known names. Search other jurisdictions’ lists where those rules may apply.
- Review ownership and identifiers. A name similarity is a lead for review, not by itself a confirmed match. Compare available identifiers and ownership information, and consider the relevant jurisdiction’s rules for entities owned or controlled by designated persons.
- Check regulatory registration separately. A regulator’s register addresses a different question from a sanctions list: whether the firm appears on the relevant register. For UK firms, the FCA or equivalent-register check is specifically highlighted in the March 2022 joint statement.
How to check a cryptocurrency wallet address against OFAC
For an OFAC address lookup, use the official Sanctions List Search and enter the public-chain address in the ID # field. OFAC says this search uses exact matching for addresses, not fuzzy matching. Copy the address carefully and make sure it is the address for the correct blockchain. (OFAC FAQs 562 and 594; OFAC Virtual Currency Industry Guidance, October 2021.)
Search addresses separately from the provider’s name. An address is a destination identifier associated with a wallet; it is not the same thing as the person or business that owns, controls, or operates a service. A hosted-wallet provider can manage customer wallets, while a public-chain address is one specific identifier to check.
Rank #2
- Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
- Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
What a match or no-result means
- A possible match needs review. Confirm the identifiers and context; do not treat a similar name or indirect blockchain connection as a final legal determination.
- A no-hit address result is narrow. It means that the exact address entered was not found in that query. OFAC says its published digital-currency addresses are not likely to be exhaustive, so the result does not clear an exchange, provider, related address, transaction history, ownership, or jurisdictional risk.
- Screening must account for variations and changes. OFAC recommends that businesses use name fuzzy matching to catch spelling variations and rescreen on an ongoing, risk-based basis as lists and customer information change.
- A third-party risk score is not an official sanctions decision. Treat it as a possible alert and verify the underlying identifiers and applicable law. OFAC’s guidance supports risk-based screening and says companies may consider blockchain analytics for listed and associated-address exposure; it does not certify a particular vendor or score.
How the check differs by jurisdiction
These are examples, not a complete survey of sanctions regimes or a determination of which country’s rules govern a particular reader.
| Jurisdiction | Sources and screening focus | Business response described by official guidance |
|---|---|---|
| United States | OFAC lists and Sanctions List Search. Address queries use exact matching in the ID # field; OFAC says address listings may be incomplete. (OFAC FAQs 562/594 and Virtual Currency Industry Guidance.) | Obligations depend on applicable OFAC rules, exceptions, and licenses. OFAC says U.S. persons must block property and interests in property of blocked persons and entities owned 50 percent or more in aggregate by blocked persons. Blocked virtual currency must be reported within 10 business days and annually while it remains blocked. (OFAC FAQ 560, released March 19, 2018; FAQ 646, 2021.) |
| United Kingdom | Relevant UK sanctions lists, plus an FCA-register or equivalent-register check for the firm where applicable. The March 2022 joint statement also discusses customer and transaction screening. | Where the UK legal test applies, the cited statement describes freezing, not dealing with or making assets available, and reporting through the relevant UK channel. Check current OFSI and FCA guidance for the applicable duties. |
| Australia | The Australian Sanctions Office Consolidated List and Australian sanctions guidance. DFAT’s Digital Currency Exchanges Guidance Note describes pre-transaction customer or wallet screening and post-transaction source/destination checks. | Australian guidance describes freezing and reporting crypto assets owned or controlled by a designated person, alongside due diligence and transaction-monitoring obligations for digital currency exchanges. (DFAT/ASO Guidance Note, first published March 8, 2024; updated July 28, 2026.) |
What to do if you suspect a match
- Pause the transaction or movement of assets. Do not transfer, return, or otherwise deal with potentially blocked property solely because a service provider’s automated system produced an alert or result.
- Escalate for a documented review. A business should have sanctions or compliance staff review identifiers, ownership, transaction details, associated addresses, and any relevant licenses or exceptions. Qualified counsel can help determine which rules apply.
- Follow the governing jurisdiction’s process. Blocking, freezing, and reporting duties differ by regime. For U.S. persons, OFAC’s stated requirements for blocking and reporting blocked virtual currency apply in the circumstances described in the table above; UK and Australian requirements should be checked with their respective authorities.
OFAC describes its Virtual Currency Industry Guidance as explanatory and says it does not have the force of law; the guidance may change and does not modify the laws and other authorities governing sanctions. Use current regulations and regulator instructions for an actual case.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- All your digital assets in one place. You can manage thousands of crypto including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Tether and more.
- Defend your identity against hackers: secure your online accounts with passwordless, hardware backed, 2FA logins for all your favorite apps and websites.
- Connectivity: USB-C cable connection only. No Bluetooth.Compatible with the Ledger Wallet crypto app, both desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (Android only). Not compatible with iOS.
- Protect your digital assets with the industry's best security: keep your private keys offline in your private signer, battle-tested by the Donjon's white hat hackers, CC EAL 6+ certified Secure Element, constantly updated Ledger OS.
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
Rank #4
- UNPARALLELED SECURITY: Protect your assets with Trezor Safe 5's NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency.
- EFFORTLESS NAVIGATION: Experience seamless crypto management with the vibrant color touchscreen, designed for intuitive and user-friendly interactions.
- ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE: Enjoy tactile confirmation with Trezor Touch Haptic Engine, making each interaction precise and engaging.
- SUPPORTS 1000s OF COINS & TOKENS: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet.
- EASY ASSET MANAGEMENT: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our user-friendly desktop and mobile app
Rank #3
- Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
- Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
- Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
- Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
