U.S. Secret Service Recovers Nearly $400 Million in Cryptocurrency from Criminals
July 5, 2025 — By Zack Abrams
In a significant achievement highlighting its expanding role in cybercrime enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service’s Global Investigative Operations Center (GIOC) has recovered close to $400 million in cryptocurrency from criminal actors over the past decade, according to a recent Bloomberg report.
Record-Breaking Seizures and Crypto Crime Fight
Last month, authorities announced the largest seizure in the Secret Service’s history — $225 million in digital assets — a milestone that underscores the agency’s growing capabilities in digital investigations. This seizure was executed in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of a large-scale, collaborative investigation.
In addition to this recent high-profile seizure, the Secret Service has recovered approximately $175 million in other digital assets tied to criminal activities, bringing the total amount seized to around $400 million. Remarkably, much of these recovered funds reportedly remain secured in a single cold-storage wallet, reinforcing the agency’s effectiveness in securing and managing digital evidence.
Legacy Meets Innovation
Traditionally known for protecting U.S. political leaders, the Secret Service’s crime-fighting mandate dates back to its origins within the U.S. Treasury Department, primarily combating counterfeiting and financial fraud. The agency has effectively translated this mission into the digital age with its specialized teams confronting crypto-related crime.
Kali Smith, the lawyer leading the department’s cryptocurrency strategy, told Bloomberg that their work extends beyond seizures. The GIOC provides comprehensive, free weeklong training sessions to law enforcement officials in over 60 countries. These programs aim to enhance the global capacity to detect, investigate, and prevent cryptocurrency scams and illicit activity. Smith noted the training often reveals to participants the extent of crypto crime occurring within their jurisdictions — information they were previously unaware of.
Cooperation with Industry Players
The Secret Service’s investigations frequently involve partnerships with private sector companies. Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has previously detailed its collaboration with the agency to trace illicit funds. Likewise, stablecoin issuer Tether onboarded the FBI and Secret Service in late 2023 onto its platform to assist in asset freezing and confiscations.
These cooperative efforts highlight an emerging model where government enforcement and industry stakeholders work closely to curb financial crimes in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.
Continued Focus on Crypto Crime Enforcement
As cryptocurrencies become increasingly integrated into global financial systems, law enforcement agencies face mounting challenges addressing their misuse in money laundering, fraud, and hacking schemes. The Secret Service’s success in recovering hundreds of millions in crypto signals a robust commitment to adapting traditional financial crime strategies to the blockchain era.
Their ongoing efforts, from record-breaking seizures to international training initiatives, position the agency as a key player in protecting the integrity of digital asset markets and fighting cyber-enabled crime.
Zack Abrams is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor covering cryptocurrency and Web3 developments. He has reported on major crypto investigations and continues to track regulatory and enforcement trends in the industry.
This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
Tags: Crime, Cryptocurrency, Law Enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, Bitcoin, Blockchain Security