What Is an SDGT? [2026 Answer]

SDGT means Specially Designated Global Terrorist, an OFAC designation for individuals and entities tied to terrorism.

TL;DR

TL;DR: SDGT stands for Specially Designated Global Terrorist, a designation OFAC applies under Executive Order 13224 to individuals and entities linked to terrorism. SDGTs are blocked and appear on the SDN List.

What the designation means

An SDGT designation freezes assets and blocks transactions with the named person or entity. It is one of several designation types that OFAC, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, records on the SDN List, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. Blocking is automatic once the name appears, no court order is needed.

Who it applies to

The designation covers people, organizations, and businesses connected to terrorism, including financiers and facilitators, not just operatives. The 50 Percent Rule also applies: an entity that is 50 percent or more owned by an SDGT is treated as blocked too, even if it has a different name.

How screening catches it

SDGTs are caught the same way any listing is: by matching the counterparty name or wallet against the SDN data. SanctionsAI screens 19,218 SDN names across 16 jurisdictions in one call under 100 ms, returning ALLOW or BLOCK before an agent pays. Because liability is strict, the check must run before money moves, every time. Because the list includes aliases and transliterations, screening must match loosely enough to catch the same person under a different name. A fuzzy match that returns BLOCK for review is safer than an exact match that quietly misses.