Freeze request

A request to a custodial service, token issuer, bridge or protocol administrator to restrict the movement of assets believed to be stolen or subject to legal proceedings. Exchanges and custodians can block withdrawals through their internal systems, while issuers of centrally controlled tokens, such as Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC), can freeze balances on-chain through privileged functions in their token contracts. Some DeFi protocols and bridges also have administrative controls that can pause operations or restrict addresses. Native coins on most public blockchains cannot be frozen through a token issuer's blacklist, although exceptional intervention by network validators or protocol governance may be possible on some networks.

• The legal basis and process vary by service and jurisdiction: some providers may act voluntarily or in response to law-enforcement requests, while others require a court order. A freeze restricts access or movement but does not itself transfer ownership or establish that the assets are proceeds of crime. Depending on the issuer's policies and the applicable legal process, frozen tokens may subsequently be burned and reissued to an authorised recipient. A freeze request should be distinguished from a judicial seizure, which is a legal measure imposed by the competent authority. Speed is often critical, as funds may be moved or dispersed within hours.