TRUMP BANS VENEZUELAN DIGITAL CURRENCY BY U. S.

The Trump administration is banning all use by Americans of a new Venezuelan cryptocurrency, known as the “petro,” saying its introduction is intended to skirt U. S. sanctions. In an executive order issued Monday, President Trump declared illegal all transactions related to Venezuelan digital currencies, coins or tokens. The prohibition applies to all people and companies subject to U. S. jurisdiction. In a separate move, the administration slapped sanctions on four current and former senior Venezuelan officials accused of corruption and mismanagement.