US Crypto Crackdown: $580 Million Stolen Assets Seized

The U. S. Justice Department announced it has taken control of more than $578 million in digital money linked to foreign crime rings. The assets were found through a special unit that focuses on scams involving cryptocurrency in Southeast Asia. The operation was carried out by the District of Columbia’s Scam Center Strike Force. This team was set up last November by former media personality turned U. S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. The group’s goal is to stop online fraud that targets American citizens. Pirro said the seized crypto is part of a broader strategy to protect people from fraud. She added that the money will be returned to victims whenever possible, rather than being stored for government use. This decision means the funds will not feed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve that was ordered by President Trump in 2025.According to data from a blockchain tracking firm, U. S. authorities might hold more than 328, 000 bitcoins that were confiscated in criminal cases. The White House has not released any official figure about the size of this stockpile. Crypto scams exploded in 2025. A leading analytics company reported a 1, 400 % jump in impersonation scams compared to the previous year. These schemes often involve fake investment offers and “pig‑butchering” tactics. The average loss per scam rose by 600 %. The crackdown has already led to prison sentences. Earlier this month, a judge handed down 20 years for someone who stole over $73 million from U. S. victims in a large scam. The case shows that law‑enforcement agencies are actively pursuing those who exploit digital currencies for fraud.