Crypto's Role in Global Sanctions and Trade

Have you heard terms like Economic Statecraft, Jurisdictional Arbitrage or Axis of Evasion and wondered what they meant or how they applied to cryptocurrency and sanctions?

Well, in this episode,Eitan Danon (Content Marketing Manager Chainalysis) demystifies these terms and their impact on the global economy with guest Kimberly Donovan (Director, Economic Statecraft Initiative, Atlantic Council).

She examines the evolving landscape of blockchain, sanctions, and global finance and explains her journey from the federal government to becoming a leading voice in national security and digital currencies.

She explains how cryptocurrency is being used at a global scale, particularly among countries under sanction and dives deep into the research behind the "axis of evasion," highlighting the increasing use of blockchain to circumvent international sanctions.

Kim also underscores the importance of AML and CFT to deter illicit actors from utilizing jurisdictional arbitrage and connecting their financial networks, which has been leading to weakened USA oversight and economic sanctioning powers.

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

2 | Kim Donovan's journey From government to crypto regulation

4 | The Axis of Evasion: Crypto's role in sanctions evasion by Russia

9 | Crypto's impact on global trade and sanctions

15 | Blockchain analytics and the need for accessible compliance tools

20 | Sanctions, alliances and global economic risks

23 | Cash is still king for terrorist financiers and illicit financial activities

27 | The Economic Statecraft Initiative  and global financial inclusion

Related resources

Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.

• Website: Atlantic Council: Nonpartisan organization that galvanizes US leadership and worldwide engagement, in collaboration with allies and partners, to shape solutions to global challenges.​
• Article: Kimberly Donovan testifies to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the Axis of Autocracy
• Event: The age of economic warfare: Behind US sanctions against Russia, China, and Iran (Tues. March 18 - 11am EST) 
• Video: The future of economic statecraft with Kim Donovan and Daleep Singh
• Report: The Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report (Download Your Copy Today)
• Conference: Chainalysis Links NYC (April 1 & 2, 2025) * Get Tickets Now!
• Blog: OFAC Designates Iran-based Darknet Marketplace Administrator with 49 Cryptocurrency Addresses for Facilitating Fentanyl Sales
• Blog: Russia’s Cryptocurrency Pivot: Legislated Sanctions Evasion
• YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page 
• Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
• Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram

Speakers on today’s episode

• Eitan Danon *Host*  (Content Marketing Manager Chainalysis)
• Kimberly Donovan (Director, Economic Statecraft Initiative, Atlantic Council)

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