Russia's A7 Transferred $6.9 Billion Through International Banks Despite Sanctions
The fintech company A7 processed more than $6.9 billion through international banks, despite sanctions against Russia. To make these payments, the company used about 100 intermediary firms, registered primarily in the UAE, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, and Indonesia.
These companies opened accounts at banks in third countries and transferred funds to foreign suppliers. More than half of the identified financial flows ultimately went to accounts at Chinese banks.
One of the banks through which transactions involving A7-affiliated companies passed was Standard Chartered. From late 2024 through August 2025, approximately $1.1 billion passed through its Hong Kong branch.
After the bank took notice of a series of transactions in February 2025 and closed the recipients’ accounts, A7 began to make more active use of banks in the UAE.
In particular, 17 companies linked to A7 made outgoing payments totaling more than $1.8 billion through First Abu Dhabi Bank.
The EU Council added A7 to its sanctions list in July 2025, and the U.S. followed suit in August. The sanctions also extended to the company’s founder, Ilan Shor.
As a reminder, Israel froze the accounts of fugitive Moldovan lawmaker Ilan Shor.
In Moldova, two people were detained following large-scale searches of Ilan Shor’s associates’ premises.
In Moldova, a man was convicted of financing the “Chance” party, which is linked to Ilan Shor.
