# Freeze (address freeze)

An issuer blocking a specific address so its stablecoins cannot be moved; the balance stays on the address.

Canonical: https://achivx.org/glossary/freeze/
Updated: 2026-11-01

A freeze is an issuer's action that stops a specific address from moving its stablecoins. Tether's terms let it freeze Tether tokens and blacklist addresses; Circle's USDC terms let it block addresses it links to illegal activity or terms breaches and freeze the USDC (for Circle-custodied addresses), temporarily or permanently. In USDT's Ethereum contract a blacklisted address keeps its balance but its transfers are rejected. The GENIUS Act requires issuers to be able to block, freeze and reject impermissible transactions.

## What the sources say

| Source | Quote | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Tether terms: freeze | "Tether may suspend or terminate your access to the Site or any of the Services, freeze any Tether Tokens held by you, or terminate your Tether Token Wallet, as required by applicable Law or where Tether, in its sole discretion, determines it is prudent to do so" | [tether.to](https://tether.to/en/legal/) |
| Circle USDC terms: Blocked Addresses | "Circle reserves the right to “block” certain USDC addresses and, if such addresses are Circle custodied addresses, freeze associated USDC (temporarily or permanently) that it determines, in its sole discretion, may be associated with illegal activity or activity that otherwise violates these Terms (“Blocked Addresses”)." | [circle.com](https://www.circle.com/legal/usdc-terms) |
| TetherToken source: addBlackList sets a flag | "function addBlackList (address _evilUser) public onlyOwner { isBlackListed[_evilUser] = true; AddedBlackList(_evilUser); }" | [Etherscan](https://etherscan.io/address/0xdac17f958d2ee523a2206206994597c13d831ec7#code) |
| TetherToken source: transfer rejects blacklisted senders | "function transfer(address _to, uint _value) public whenNotPaused { require(!isBlackListed[msg.sender]);" | [Etherscan](https://etherscan.io/address/0xdac17f958d2ee523a2206206994597c13d831ec7#code) |
| GENIUS Act, sec. 4(a)(5): compliance capabilities | "technical capabilities, policies, and procedures to block, freeze, and reject specific or impermissible transactions that violate Federal or State laws, rules, or regulations" | [govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ27/html/PLAW-119publ27.htm) |
| FATF Glossary: freeze (frozen assets remain the holder's property) | "In all cases, the frozen property, equipment, instrumentalities, funds or other assets remain the property of the natural or legal person(s) that held an interest in them at the time of the freezing" | [fatf-gafi.org](https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/pages/fatf-glossary.html) |

## Related terms

- [Unfreeze](/glossary/unfreeze/)
- [Blacklist (issuer blacklist)](/glossary/blacklist/)
- [Seizure](/glossary/seizure/)
- [OFAC SDN list](/glossary/ofac-sdn-list/)
- [Sanctions exposure](/glossary/sanctions-exposure/)

## See also

- Data: [Stablecoin freezes and seizures by issuer](/data/freezes-and-seizures/)
- Explainer: [How exactly does a stablecoin freeze happen?](https://achivx.com/academy/how-it-works/how-does-a-freeze-happen.html)
- Review: [revain.org/coins/usdt/](https://revain.org/coins/usdt/)
- Review: [revain.org/coins/usdc/](https://revain.org/coins/usdc/)
- Review: [revain.org/coins/usds/](https://revain.org/coins/usds/)

Checked against the sources on 2026-11-01.

## revain.org
- https://revain.org/coins/usdt/
- https://revain.org/coins/usdc/
- https://revain.org/coins/usds/

## Sources
- https://tether.to/en/legal/
- https://www.circle.com/legal/usdc-terms
- https://etherscan.io/address/0xdac17f958d2ee523a2206206994597c13d831ec7#code
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ27/html/PLAW-119publ27.htm
- https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/pages/fatf-glossary.html