As negotiations and a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran continue, and the Strait of Hormuz begins to reopen after a period of disruption, shipping companies are facing a new threat linked to crypto fraudsters.
Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS says it has received warnings about messages being sent to shipping operators whose vessels are currently stranded to the west of the waterway, offering “safe passage” through the strait in return for crypto payments.
Hormuz Ceasefire Push Meets Crypto ScamThe scam, according to Reuters, appears to mimic those discussions while steering targets toward fraudulent transfers rather than legitimate payment channels.
MARISKS reports that the messages are not vague: they include a structured demand for crypto payments designed to pressure operators quickly and out of normal procedures.
Iran’s proposed legitimate system, as described through reporting and officials’ comments, could involve payments that start at roughly $1 per barrel—an amount that can translate into millions of dollars per voyage depending on the cargo and shipment size.
The purpose, he said, is tied to sanctions risk: completing transactions rapidly is intended to help prevent payments from being traced or seized under sanctions-related enforcement regimes.
Alleged Firing On VesselsThe strait remains a critical passageway: Reuters has noted that it carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquid natural gas. That scale and importance help explain why operators under pressure may respond quickly to communications that appear to offer an end to delays.
On Saturday, attempts to move through the strait reportedly ran into violence. Reuters reported that ships tried to pass, and at least two vessels claimed Iranian boats fired at them.
Bitcoin has retreated to $75,520 after starting above $77,000 on Tuesday. The cryptocurrency is consolidating between these levels as it has been unable to break above the immediate resistance at $78,500.
Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
