US DOJ seized and froze $580M in crypto from ‘Chinese transnational criminals‘
28.02.2026
2790
Officials with the US Department of Justice reported “freezing, seizing, and forfeiting” more than $578 million worth of digital assets tied to criminal groups as part of a task force’s efforts targeting “Southeast Asian cryptocurrency-related fraud and scams.”
US DOJ seized and froze $580M in crypto from ‘Chinese transnational criminals‘
The US DOJ just dropped a bombshell — they’ve frozen and seized over $578M in crypto from Chinese transnational crime rings. This is the work of the District of Columbia’s Scam Center Strike Force, a unit launched by former Fox News host turned US Attorney Jeanine Pirro back in November. These groups were targeting US residents through websites and social media platforms.
Pirro stated: “Seizures of cryptocurrency is one important part of the Scam Center Strike Force’s work. Through the legal process, my Office will seek to forfeit these funds and return them to victims to the maximum extent possible.”
Key detail: Pirro’s comments signal that most of these seized funds won’t be funneled into the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve — the crypto stockpile established by President Trump in March 2025. According to BitcoinTreasuries.NET, US authorities might hold as much as 328,372 Bitcoin (BTC) from various criminal seizures, but the White House hasn’t publicly confirmed the size of this stockpile.
Crypto scams surged in 2025
This crackdown comes as crypto scams exploded last year. According to Chainalysis, impersonation scams linked to crypto skyrocketed by about 1,400% year-over-year in 2025. The average amount stolen in these scams jumped by 600%. Many involved pig butchering and investment schemes.
Earlier this month, a US judge sentenced an individual to 20 years in prison for orchestrating a scam that stole over $73 million from victims, many in the US.
#China#Cryptocurrency confiscation#crypto fraud#money laundering#USA
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