Mexico-EU Pact and US Sanctions Target Sinaloa Crypto Laundering

On May 25, 2026, Mexico and the EU announced a joint crackdown on crypto-enabled money laundering at their 8th summit, tied to a €5 billion trade deal. The move aligns with fresh OFAC sanctions on six individuals and two firms linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, following the DEA’s $10 billion crypto seizure in July 2025. Venezuela dismantled a 4,000-ASIC mining farm while Brazil’s Bradesco unveiled crypto custody services across 5,300 branches. Bitcoin traded near $77,200 as coordinated enforcement raised compliance costs yet signaled longer-term institutional support.