EU Adopts 21st Round of Sanctions Against Russia, Expanding Restrictions on Finance, Energy, and Crypto Assets

TechFlow News, July 24: The EU Council officially passed the 21st round of sanctions against Russia on July 23, focusing on strengthening restrictions on Russia's financial system, energy revenue, military industry, and crypto-asset services. This sanction adds 218 individuals and entities to the list, including 48 individuals and 170 entities, marking the largest listing measure in nearly four years.

In the financial sector, the EU imposed asset freezes on 94 banks and major financial institutions, and expanded transaction bans on 33 Russian credit and financial institutions; meanwhile, 14 service platforms related to crypto-assets were included in the scope of restrictions, and for the first time, a comprehensive ban was proposed on crypto-asset services from third countries that assist Russia in evading sanctions.

In the energy sector, the EU continues to crack down on Russia's "shadow fleet," adding sanctions on 41 additional vessels, and imposing transaction restrictions on multiple oil traders, refineries, and related enterprises. At the same time, the EU also strengthened export controls on Russia's military-industrial system, adding multiple entities involved in long-range drones and the military-industrial supply chain.