US Crypto Crackdown: $580 Million Stolen Assets Seized
The U.S. Justice Department announced that it has taken control of more than $578 million in digital money tied to foreign crime rings. The assets were uncovered by a special unit that focuses on cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia.
Operation Details
- Unit: District of Columbia’s Scam Center Strike Force
- Established: Last November by former media personality turned U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro
- Mission: Stop online fraud targeting American citizens
Pirro emphasized that the seized crypto is part of a broader strategy to protect people from fraud. She noted that the money will be returned to victims whenever possible, rather than being stored for government use—meaning it will not feed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve ordered by President Trump in 2025.
Crypto Asset Holdings
According to a blockchain tracking firm, U.S. authorities might hold over 328,000 bitcoins confiscated in criminal cases. The White House has not released an official figure on the size of this stockpile.
Scams Surge in 2025
- Impersonation scams: 1,400 % jump compared to the previous year
- Common tactics: Fake investment offers and “pig‑butchering” schemes
- Average loss per scam: 600 % increase
Enforcement Actions
The crackdown has already led to prison sentences. Earlier this month, a judge handed down 20 years for an individual who stole over $73 million from U.S. victims in a large scam, underscoring that law‑enforcement agencies are actively pursuing those who exploit digital currencies for fraud.
