PANews reported on December 18 that the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the closure of a North Korean cryptocurrency laundering network. This network exchanged cryptocurrency for cash to be used by North Korea through a front company located in the UAE, Green Alpine Trading, LLC. The U.S. has placed this company and two Chinese nationals who have been involved in the network since 2022 on the sanctions list. The Treasury pointed out that North Korea has been raising funds through cryptocurrency crime to support its nuclear weapons program. This time, the UAE cooperated with the U.S. in the operation but did not disclose the status of the two sanctioned Chinese nationals.