diff --git a/lib/app.js b/lib/app.js
index 10885510..ba4ea3a5 100644
--- a/lib/app.js
+++ b/lib/app.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ const routes = require('./routes')
 const logger = require('./logger')
 const poller = require('./poller')
 const settingsLoader = require('./settings-loader')
+const configManager = require('./config-manager')
 const options = require('./options')
 const ofac = require('./ofac/index')
 const ofacUpdate = require('./ofac/update')
@@ -36,11 +37,18 @@ function run () {
 }
 
 function loadSanctions () {
-  logger.info('Loading sanctions DB...')
-  return ofacUpdate.update()
-    .then(() => logger.info('Sanctions DB updated'))
-    .then(ofac.load)
-    .then(() => logger.info('Sanctions DB loaded'))
+  return settingsLoader.loadLatest()
+    .then(settings => {
+      const config = configManager.unscoped(settings.config)
+
+      if (!config.sanctionsVerificationActive) return
+
+      logger.info('Loading sanctions DB...')
+      return ofacUpdate.update()
+        .then(() => logger.info('Sanctions DB updated'))
+        .then(ofac.load)
+        .then(() => logger.info('Sanctions DB loaded'))
+    })
 }
 
 function runOnce () {
diff --git a/lib/poller.js b/lib/poller.js
index de7699c9..0d4cdeeb 100644
--- a/lib/poller.js
+++ b/lib/poller.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ const cashInTx = require('./cash-in/cash-in-tx')
 const sanctionsUpdater = require('./ofac/update')
 const sanctions = require('./ofac/index')
 const coinAtmRadar = require('./coinatmradar/coinatmradar')
+const configManager = require('./config-manager')
 
 const INCOMING_TX_INTERVAL = 30 * T.seconds
 const LIVE_INCOMING_TX_INTERVAL = 5 * T.seconds
@@ -34,6 +35,10 @@ function pi () { return _pi }
 function settings () { return _settings }
 
 function updateAndLoadSanctions () {
+  const config = configManager.unscoped(settings().config)
+
+  if (!config.sanctionsVerificationActive) return Promise.resolve()
+
   logger.info('Updating sanctions database...')
   return sanctionsUpdater.update()
     .then(sanctions.load)