Ethereum is the leading smart contract platform, also used for USDT (ERC-20), USDC, and thousands of DeFi tokens. Use our free tool to check any Ethereum (ETH) wallet address for AML compliance issues — including OFAC sanctions, darknet exposure, mixer usage, and ransomware links.
How to check an Ethereum wallet for AML
- Paste your ETH wallet address in the input above
- Click Check AML to start the screening
- For a full report with risk score and PDF — open in Telegram bot
What is AML screening for Ethereum?
AML (Anti-Money Laundering) screening for Ethereum wallets checks transaction history against databases of known bad actors: OFAC-sanctioned addresses, darknet markets, ransomware payment wallets, scam contracts, and mixing services. Exchanges and financial institutions are legally required to screen crypto wallets before processing transactions.
Ethereum addresses are shared across all EVM-compatible chains (BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum). An address flagged on Ethereum may also be screened on other EVM networks.
Key risk signals for Ethereum wallets
Tornado Cash (sanctioned by OFAC in 2022) remains the primary mixer concern for ETH addresses. DeFi protocol hacks and scam token contracts are also tracked.
- OFAC sanctions — direct listing or exposure to SDN-listed addresses
- Darknet markets — funds received from or sent to illegal marketplace addresses
- Mixer / tumbler exposure — use of privacy or obfuscation services
- Ransomware — connections to known ransomware payment addresses
- Exchange hacks — funds originating from stolen exchange wallets
Ethereum AML compliance — what you need to know
Ethereum carries the broadest AML surface area of any smart contract platform. In August 2022, OFAC sanctioned Tornado Cash, the privacy mixer that had processed over $7 billion in transactions, including approximately $455 million laundered by North Korea's Lazarus Group. The Ronin bridge hack in March 2022 saw Lazarus drain $625 million in ETH and USDC, the largest single crypto theft attributed to a state actor. Lazarus Group has stolen an estimated $3.5 billion from crypto protocols since 2016 according to Chainalysis, with Ethereum-based protocols representing the majority of targets. The EVM compatibility standard means risk flags from Ethereum propagate to compatible chains including BNB, Polygon, and Avalanche. Exchanges including Coinbase and Kraken maintain blocklists of Ethereum addresses associated with sanctioned Tornado Cash contracts. Any wallet that interacted with Tornado Cash after August 2022 faces deposit rejection at major exchanges, and those interactions are permanently visible on-chain.
Free Ethereum AML check via Telegram bot
The fastest way to check an ETH address is via @cryptoamlscan_bot. Send any Ethereum wallet address and receive an instant risk score with full breakdown. Basic check is free — no registration required.
Recently sanctioned Ethereum addresses (OFAC SDN)
The following addresses appear on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list. Transacting with these addresses may violate US sanctions law.
0x098B716B8Aaf21512996dC57EB0615e2383E2f960xa0e1c89Ef1a489c9C7dE96311eD5Ce5D32c20E4B0x3Cffd56B47B7b41c56258D9C7731ABaDc360E0730x53b6936513e738f44FB50d2b9476730C0Ab3Bfc10x35fB6f6DB4fb05e6A4cE86f2C93691425626d4b1
+5 more in the full OFAC SDN list.
Ethereum AML risk types — quick reference
| Risk type | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado Cash interaction | Address deposited to or withdrew from OFAC-sanctioned Tornado Cash contracts after Aug 2022 | Block. Any post-Aug-2022 Tornado Cash interaction is a direct OFAC violation. |
| Lazarus Group exposure | Funds traceable to North Korean state hacking operations | Block and file SAR if required by jurisdiction. |
| DeFi exploit proceeds | Address received funds from Ronin bridge, Wormhole, or other protocol hacks | Request source-of-funds documentation. |
| Scam token contracts | Address interacted with known phishing or rug-pull token contracts | Elevated KYC required before proceeding. |
| USDT/USDC freeze list | Address frozen by Tether or Circle under law enforcement request | Do not transact — funds non-transferable. |
More Ethereum AML questions
Does the AML check cover NFT transactions on Ethereum?
Yes. Our tool screens the full Ethereum address history including NFT marketplace activity (OpenSea, Blur, LooksRare). NFT platforms have been used as a vector for money laundering.
Are EVM-compatible chains covered in an Ethereum check?
The Ethereum check covers the ETH mainnet address. For BNB, Polygon, or Arbitrum — those share the same address format but are separate blockchains. Run separate checks for each network.
What is the risk of receiving ETH from a Tornado Cash address?
Any ETH received from a Tornado Cash address post-August 2022 creates OFAC exposure. Exchanges including Coinbase and Kraken will flag or block the receiving address. Always screen before accepting large ETH transfers.
Last updated: 2026-06-17. Screened against OFAC SDN data that updates daily.