[UK Sanctions 18 Russia-Linked Crypto Entities, First Use of Banking-Style Restrictions on Crypto Exchanges] Deep Tide TechFlow reports that on May 27, according to CoinDesk, the UK imposed sanctions on 18 entities and individuals accused of assisting Russia in evading Western restrictions and funding its war in Ukraine. Among them are the crypto exchange Huobi Global S.A. (operator of HTX) and the stablecoin issuer Open Joint Stock Company 'Virtual Asset Issuer.' This marks the first time the UK has applied Regulation 17A, originally targeting sanctioned banks, to crypto exchanges. The regulation requires UK financial institutions and crypto service providers to freeze related funds, track on-chain transactions, and refrain from maintaining correspondent relationships or processing payments involving sanctioned parties. The sanctions specifically target the A7 payment network.