DOJ ends crypto enforcement team, shifts focus to terrorism and fraud
The memo, sent by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, outlines a decentralized approach for digital asset cases.
The U.S. Justice Department abruptly shut down its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, signaling a major shift in how the federal government will handle crypto-related crimes going forward, according to a memo sent Monday night by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
In it, Blanche outlines a decentralized approach in which U.S. attorney's offices will now take the lead on digital asset cases, focusing primarily on crimes involving terrorism.
Going forward, the document said efforts would now focus on "prosecuting individuals who victimize digital asset investors, or those who use digital assets in furtherance of criminal offenses such as terrorism, narcotics and human trafficking, organized crime, hacking, and cartel and gang financing."
The disbandment of the unit is the latest in a series of sweeping regulatory reversals under President Donald Trump, who made crypto-friendly policies a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign.
Established in 2022 under former President Joe Biden, the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team was tasked with addressing the illicit use of cryptocurrencies.