Donald Trump2026-10-22 09:22:24Trump says nearly $1 billion in scam-linked crypto frozen as DOJ rolls out nationwide crackdownU.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 21 that his administration has frozen nearly $1 billion in cryptocurrency tied to foreign fraud rings, using a White House roundtable to press a broader campaign against overseas groups targeting Americans. A post from the White House Rapid Response account said the government has prevented at least $1.6 billion in losses this year and shut down more than 500 scam websites. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department will no longer leave these cases to individual U.S. attorneys’ offices and is launching a new cyber fraud initiative run by the Criminal Division. Under the plan, dozens of prosecutors will be sent to all 94 offices nationwide. A Justice Department fraud task force page shows that, as of Oct. 15, authorities had seized $938.4 million in cryptocurrency. The task force was established in 2025 and is focused on crypto scams originating in Southeast Asia. The report was cited by Unchained and summarized by Techub.70
FBI2026-08-05 06:19:31FBI Chief: Operation Blackout Seized $15B+ in CryptocurrencyTechub News reports that a tweet from @cryptojack quoted FBI Director Kash Patel as announcing that Operation Blackout has resulted in the seizure of more than $15 billion worth of cryptocurrency and has dismantled a worldwide fraud network. The operation is described as one of the largest law enforcement actions the United States has taken in response to criminal activities involving digital currencies. At the moment, no information has been released about the specific criminal groups targeted by the action, nor has any decision been made public regarding the disposal of the confiscated assets. However, the announcement underscores the authorities' intention to step up their fight against cross-border fraud committed through digital assets. The news was first shared via social media and then reported by Techub News. The FBI director’s remarks, as relayed by @cryptojack, provided no further specifics about the operation’s timeline or international reach. It remains unclear whether additional statements will follow. Despite the absence of details, the sheer size of the seized sum places this effort among the biggest crypto-related seizures ever acknowledged by U.S. officials.680
FBI2026-07-23 22:30:15FBI Seizes Over $8 Billion in Crypto in Global Scam Network TakedownThe FBI said Operation Blackout led to more than $8 billion in crypto seizures, nearly 300 arrests, and the rescue of close to 2,000 people from scam compounds across multiple countries.1910
Bitcoin2026-07-23 22:05:17Billionaire says seizure risk weakens Bitcoin’s digital gold narrativeFrank Giustra argues Bitcoin should not be treated like gold because crypto can still be traced and seized. The debate intensified after U.S. officials cited nearly $1 billion in Iran-linked crypto seizures.620
Bitcoin2026-07-22 20:15:14Chinese Police Paper Reveals How Bitcoin Seizures Are Carried OutA technical paper by public security experts in Zhejiang and Wenzhou outlines how Chinese police extract wallet credentials, trace on-chain transfers, request exchange KYC data, and move seized crypto into multisig wallets.450
Silk Road2026-07-08 13:26:16Ex-FBI Agent Admits Stealing 1,600 Silk Road Bitcoins, Faces 10 Years in PrisonFormer U.S. Secret Service agent Shaun Bridges pleads guilty to laundering and moving 1,606.6 bitcoins seized by federal authorities during the Silk Road investigation. He now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, reigniting debates on law enforcement corruption and crypto asset custody.660
Bitcoin2026-07-02 14:45:14Chinese Woman Pleads Guilty in UK Bitcoin Laundering Case Involving 61,000 BTC Worth Nearly $7 BillionOn the first day of her trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, 47-year-old Chinese national Qian Zhimin (also known as Zhang Yadi) pleaded guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The case stems from one of the largest cryptocurrency seizures ever, with British police confiscating over 61,000 BTC, currently valued at approximately £5.1 billion ($6.7 billion). The funds are allegedly linked to a massive Chinese investment fraud that defrauded about 128,000 victims between 2014 and 2017. Qian fled China after her company, Tianjin Lantian Gerui Electronic Technology Co., collapsed following China's 2017 crypto crackdown. She attempted to launder the proceeds in the UK through property purchases, aided by accomplice Jian Wen, who was previously jailed for facilitating the movement of 150 BTC. The trial, expected to last 12 weeks, will feature Chinese police officers testifying in person and victims testifying remotely from a court in Tianjin.700
Ukraine2026-06-29 14:07:45Ukraine Transfers $8.3M in Seized USDT to State Management, Paving Way for Crypto Strategic ReserveUkraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has transferred over $8.3 million worth of USDT to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), marking the first time the country has successfully integrated seized crypto assets into state management. The funds originate from an investigation into an international hacker group accused of targeting individuals and businesses in Europe and the US through data theft and extortion, with estimated losses exceeding $100 million. The seized USDT is currently held in custody pending final court decisions. Meanwhile, Ukraine is considering establishing a strategic crypto reserve funded by confiscated assets from criminal and civil cases, mirroring a similar approach previously proposed by the United States.2130
