Timothy Morano
April 22, 2025 08:19
The DOJ dissolves its national cryptocurrency enforcement team and is shifted to illegal activities that affect digital assets in accordance with the new instructions from the Blanche -Memo.
The US Justice Ministry (DOJ) has announced a significant change in its approach to enforcing digital assets, whereby the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) and a new focus on criminal activities that exploit digital assets. This change takes place according to a memorandum, which the deputy attorney in general Todd Blanche, known as the “Blanche Memo”, is published, in which it is emphasized that the fight against the direct criminal abuse of digital assets instead of technical regulatory underlying.
Concentration on criminal exploitation
According to Chainalysis, the new strategy of the doj aims to prioritize investigations in crimes that use digital assets to cause damage or to facilitate broad criminal activities such as fraud, terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and organized crime. The DOJ intends to support innovations in the digital economy and to protect citizens from the abuse of digital assets.
Run resources again
The NCET, founded in 2022, was significantly involved in the examination of the cases of digital asset. His closure is part of a broader strategy for the integration of digital assets into broader criminal investigations to ensure that the efforts concentrate on crimes that are further enabled by digital assets. This corresponds to the commitment of the doj to tackle complex crimes with a crypto nexus, as described in Executive Order 14178.
The role of the chain in enforcement
The chain continues to play an important role in the support of the efforts of the Doj and the provision of data, tools and training to combat crime in the field of digital assets. Their participation includes the disturbance of the fentanyl ecosystem, the exposing of the operations for organized crime and the support of the doj in dismantling terrorism financing systems. The technology of chainalysis also helps with the persecution and restoration of illegal means and contributes to the goals of the doj for the protection of the victim and financial recovery.
Effects of conformity and industry
The new guidelines of the doj clarify that digital asset platforms are only subject to law enforcement if they knowingly committed or enable crimes. This offers a clearer framework for the industry and emphasizes the importance of robust anti-money laundering (AML) and compliance measures to know your termination (KYC). The DOJ is still obliged to pursue criminal activities and to be based on the mission of the chain to protect the ecosystem for digital assets.
Future to enforce digital assets
The DOJ's approach is intended to ensure that legitimate innovation is not hindered, while a strong attitude towards those who are maintaining digital assets for criminal purposes. This strategy aims to protect the integrity of the digital asset ecosystem and to support a safe and integrative digital economy.
For more information, see the original article about the chain.
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