Gate News message, April 21 — Scammers posing as Iranian officials are demanding Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) as transit fees from ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a warning from MARISKS, a Greece-based maritime risk management firm. The scheme falsely promises “safe transit authorization” through the strategic waterway.
Hundreds of ships and approximately 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Gulf, with at least one vessel reported as a potential target of the scam. The blockade followed Iran’s temporary reopening of the strait last Friday, which was reversed after the U.S. continued its port blockade.
The U.S.-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement expires on April 23. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. will not lift its port blockade until an agreement is reached with Iran. A second round of talks between the two countries is expected.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
If BTC Falls Below $74,650, Mainstream CEX Long Liquidations Could Hit $2.284 Billion
According to Coinglass data as of May 1, if Bitcoin falls below $74,650, cumulative long liquidations across mainstream centralized exchanges could reach $2.284 billion.
Conversely, if BTC breaks above $81,948, cumulative short liquidations would total $1.248 billion.
GateNews1h ago
AIMCo Returns to Saylor Bitcoin Treasury Investment With $69M Gain
Canadian pension fund Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo) has re-entered its investment in Michael Saylor's bitcoin treasury company, reversing a previous exit from the position. The fund is now sitting on an unrealized gain of $69 million from the investment.
Investment Position
AIMCo's
CryptoFrontier1h ago
Paradigm Researcher Proposes PACTs to Protect Satoshi-Era Bitcoin From Quantum Threats
According to Paradigm, researcher Dan Robinson recently proposed Provable Address-Control Timestamps (PACTs), a model designed to protect dormant bitcoins, including those associated with Satoshi Nakamoto, from quantum computing threats. The system allows bitcoin holders to prove wallet ownership an
GateNews1h ago
Stablecoins Capture 40% of Latin America Crypto Purchases, Overtaking Bitcoin for First Time
According to BitSo, stablecoins accounted for 40% of all crypto purchases among Latin Americans in 2025, surpassing Bitcoin's 18% share for the first time. The data, drawn from nearly 10 million platform users, marks a significant shift in regional digital asset adoption, with stablecoins like
GateNews2h ago
Riot Platforms Transfers 500 BTC Worth $38.2M to NYDIG
According to Lookonchain, a wallet linked to US-based Bitcoin mining company Riot Platforms transferred 500 BTC (valued at $38.2 million) to crypto financial services firm NYDIG approximately five hours ago. The transfer's purpose remains unclear—it could represent a sale to cover operational
GateNews3h ago
SBI Holdings Pursues Bitbank Stake for Crypto Expansion
SBI Holdings, a Tokyo-based broker, is pursuing a strategic stake in cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank as part of its broader digital asset strategy, according to the headline and available reports.
## Expansion Strategy
The company is betting on cryptocurrency growth with plans extending to Singapo
CryptoFrontier3h ago
