US lawmakers have launched laws to create a federal task force centered on cryptocurrency theft, fraud, and hacking investigations.
Abstract
- Bipartisan lawmakers launched a invoice making a federal crypto crime task force.
- The proposed unit would come with the DOJ, FBI, DHS, and Treasury Division.
- The laws goals to enhance investigations, sufferer reporting, and legislation enforcement coordination.
The proposal follows a yr wherein People reported greater than $11 billion in crypto-related losses. If accredited, the measure would set up a coordinated reporting and enforcement framework throughout a number of federal companies.
Crypto fraud losses drive name for coordinated enforcement
Bipartisan lawmakers launched the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act in Congress. The proposal would create a task force led by the lawyer normal. Officers from the Division of Justice, FBI, Division of Homeland Safety, and Treasury would take part.
The invoice arrives after a pointy rise in crypto-related complaints throughout the USA. In line with the FBI’s 2025 Web Crime Report, People filed 181,565 cryptocurrency complaints. These studies resulted in additional than $11.3 billion in recorded losses. Funding fraud generated the biggest share of these losses. FBI information confirmed funding scams accounted for roughly $7.2 billion. Criticism quantity additionally elevated 21% in contrast with the earlier yr.
Older People reported the best losses amongst all age teams. Folks over 60 filed 44,555 complaints throughout 2025. The FBI stated these victims misplaced roughly $4.43 billion by way of crypto-related schemes. In the meantime, blockchain analytics agency TRM Labs reported rising prison exercise involving digital belongings. In line with the agency, wallets linked to illicit exercise obtained $158 billion in cryptocurrency throughout 2025. The determine stood at $64.5 billion in 2024.
Invoice seeks single reporting channel for victims
Consultant Lance Gooden and Consultant Josh Gottheimer introduced the laws. The lawmakers stated victims presently lack a central place to report crypto-related crimes. The proposal goals to ascertain a extra coordinated response construction.
Gooden stated People want a unified technique in opposition to cryptocurrency criminals. He argued that fragmented enforcement leaves victims with out clear help choices. The invoice seeks to enhance communication between companies dealing with crypto investigations.
Beneath the proposal, the task force would coordinate investigations throughout collaborating companies. It could additionally develop standardized steering for native legislation enforcement departments. Officers would create procedures for dealing with cryptocurrency theft and fraud cases. The laws additionally focuses on sufferer help. Lawmakers stated the framework would supply a clearer reporting course of. Assist companies would function by way of a centralized federal construction.
Proposal follows modifications in federal crypto enforcement
The invoice arrives after the Division of Justice disbanded the Nationwide Cryptocurrency Enforcement Group in 2025. Officers stated the earlier unit relied closely on enforcement actions in opposition to trade members. The present proposal as a substitute focuses on prison investigations and sufferer help. Federal companies already function a number of applications focusing on digital asset crime.
The FBI’s Operation Degree Up identifies rip-off victims earlier than losses escalate. In line with the bureau, the initiative saved greater than $225.8 million throughout 2025. Different companies additionally proceed crypto enforcement efforts. The Treasury Division’s Rip-off Middle Strike Force has focused abroad fraud networks. Authorities stated this system seized greater than $700 million linked to scam operations.
Business teams have expressed help for the proposal. The Digital Chamber stated legislation enforcement companies want stronger instruments and coaching. Satoshi Motion Fund CEO Dennis Porter stated the laws would supply a coordinated federal response for victims and investigators. The measure should nonetheless advance by way of congressional committees earlier than turning into legislation. Lawmakers may additionally connect the proposal to a broader legislative package deal through the present session.
