OFACSanctions / OFACSeptember 23, 2026

OFAC Formally Publishes Venezuela General Licenses 5X and 5Y

OFAC has published two updated general licenses — GL 5X and GL 5Y — under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations in the Federal Register, formalizing authorizations previously posted to OFAC's website. Compliance officers dealing with Venezuela-related transactions, including those involving digital assets or payments, should review these GLs to understand the permitted scope of activity.

What to do

Pull the full text of GL 5X and 5Y, compare them against your existing Venezuela sanctions procedures, and update internal policies and screening exception documentation to reflect any changes in authorized activities.

Who this affects

Crypto ExchangeCrypto CustodianMoney Services BusinessPayments CompanyFintech / NeobankBank / Credit UnionTrust CompanyBroker-Dealer / RIA

Does this affect your program?

Pick your institution type for an instant read on whether you're in scope — then see exactly which sections of your own policies this changes.

Source

Read the official publication

This radar entry is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and grounded in the linked official source; always verify against the primary source and consult qualified legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

Related developments

OFAC

OFAC Adds New Individuals or Entities to the SDN List

OFAC has designated one or more new persons to the SDN List, blocking all property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting U.S. persons from transacting with them. All crypto, fintech, and financial institutions must update their sanctions screening systems promptly to capture these new designations and avoid violations.

OFAC

OFAC Formally Publishes Iran-Related General Licenses Y and Z

OFAC has published two Iran-related general licenses — GL Y and GL Z — in the Federal Register, formalizing authorizations previously posted on OFAC's website. Given that Iran sanctions are among the highest-risk programs for crypto and fintech firms, compliance officers should carefully review these GLs to understand what transactions are permitted and ensure their screening systems are calibrated accordingly.

OFAC

OFAC Publishes General License 2 Under DRC Sanctions Regulations

OFAC has formally published General License 2 under the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations in the Federal Register, having previously made it available on its website. Compliance teams should incorporate this GL into their sanctions policies to clarify which DRC-related transactions are permissible.

OFAC

OFAC Publishes General License 12 for ICC-Related Sanctions

OFAC has formally published General License 12 under the International Criminal Court-Related Sanctions Regulations in the Federal Register, though it was previously available on OFAC's website. Compliance teams should review GL 12 to understand what categories of transactions are authorized under this sanctions program and ensure internal policies and screening procedures reflect the license's scope.

Stay ahead of every rule change

PliOS monitors FinCEN, OCC, OFAC, the SEC and CFTC and tells you which of your policies each new rule affects — with the edit already drafted. Start free.

Run My Free Assessment