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United States Plans Task Force to Fight Cryptocurrency Theft

The proposal is meant to bring federal investigations together and help victims of crypto theft faster. The question is whether a central approach can really strengthen the fight against this multibillion-dollar crime.

By Mike Hesp
• 2 min read
United States Plans Task Force to Fight Cryptocurrency Theft

Key Takeaways

  • The United States is considering a bill for a Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force to fight crypto theft.
  • The task force would be led by the attorney general and bring together federal agencies like the DOJ, FBI, Homeland Security, and Treasury.
  • About $11 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen last year, mostly through fraud and hacking.

The United States is considering a new bill that would create a special task force to better fight cryptocurrency theft. This Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force would be led by the U.S. attorney general and bring together several federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Treasury Department. The effort is backed by both Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives.

Cooperation Between Federal Agencies

The proposed task force is meant to become a central point for preventing and investigating crypto theft, a problem that has long plagued the young crypto industry. Last year, about $11 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen through things like fraud and hacking. So far, the response to these crimes has been spread across different jurisdictions and agencies, which has often left victims without clear help.

The work of this new group lines up with earlier efforts, like the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team that the Department of Justice launched in 2022, and the Scam Center Strike Force that was launched in 2025 to take on international scams. The Homeland Security Task Forces, active since 2025, also focus on cross-border crime where digital currency often plays a role. This new task force is supposed to improve coordination and effectiveness even more.

Better Protection for Victims and a Stronger Crackdown on Criminals

The lawmakers behind the proposal say this task force should give victims a clear place to turn while also hitting criminals harder. According to Republican Representative Lance Gooden, there is currently no coordinated strategy to stop crypto thieves. Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer adds that victims often have nowhere to go right now, even as the scale of the thefts keeps growing.

By creating a central task force that works voluntarily with local and state agencies, the lawmakers hope to make the response to crypto-related crime more consistent and stronger. That could boost trust in the crypto market and better protect consumers from the risks of digital assets.

Relevance for the European Crypto Market

Even though the effort is focused on the United States, it could also matter for European crypto users and companies. Fighting crypto theft and fraud is a global issue, and cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders is becoming more important. European regulators and lawmakers may want to watch these developments to strengthen their own strategies and improve security in the European crypto industry.

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