DOJ Shuts Down Crypto Crime Unit, Shifts Focus to Integrated Financial Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially disbanded its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET), marking a significant transition in how federal authorities approach cryptocurrency-related crimes. Rather than maintaining a dedicated unit, the DOJ now plans to fold the team’s responsibilities into broader financial crime divisions. This move signals an effort to better integrate crypto expertise into the DOJ’s long-term strategy to combat illicit finance, especially as the digital asset landscape continues to evolve.

The NCET was originally launched in 2021 to respond to the surge in criminal activity involving cryptocurrencies. Its mission included tackling everything from ransomware attacks and darknet market operations to money laundering and the use of crypto in terrorist financing. The unit became known for high-profile enforcement actions, including takedowns of major crypto mixers and the recovery of stolen digital assets. Its creation was seen as a strong statement from the DOJ that crypto-related crime would be treated with the same gravity as traditional financial misconduct.

However, the DOJ now believes that centralizing crypto enforcement within its broader financial crime and national security teams will improve coordination and response times. By embedding crypto-focused prosecutors and analysts within existing units, the department aims to increase efficiency, reduce duplication of efforts, and adapt more swiftly to complex, multi-layered threats. According to officials, this structure will allow for a more agile and sustainable approach to investigating and prosecuting crimes involving digital assets.

This shift comes amid growing regulatory and political scrutiny of the crypto sector in the U.S., including debates about stablecoin legislation, SEC crackdowns, and concerns about national security implications. Rather than stepping back from the space, the DOJ’s move reflects a deeper institutionalization of crypto crime enforcement—one that aligns digital asset investigations with the broader financial regulatory framework. The message is clear: while the team is being restructured, the DOJ’s focus on crypto-related crime is far from fading.