Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington, DC on April 18, 2022.
Kent Nishimura | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
According to a memo obtained by NBC News, the U.S. Department of Justice suddenly shuts down its national cryptocurrency enforcement team, indicating a major change in how the federal government handles crypto-related crimes.
Sent Monday night by Associate Attorney General Todd Blanche, the memo outlines a decentralized approach in which the office of U.S. lawyers leads digital asset cases, focusing primarily on crimes, including terrorism.
The memo said it will focus on “prosecution of individuals who are victimized by digital asset investors or those who use digital assets to promote criminal offences such as terrorism, drug and trafficking, organized crime, hacking and cartels and gang funding.”
This is the latest in a series of moves under President Donald Trump that aims to roll back what his administration considers regulatory overreach.
As part of the reorganization, market integrity and key fraud units will halt all cryptocurrency enforcement efforts.
The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division will continue to serve as a supporter by providing guidance and training to Department of Justice staff and serving as liaisons to the digital asset industry.
Source link
