US lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a federal task force focused on investigations into cryptocurrency theft, fraud and hacking.
summary
- Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a federal task force to combat cryptocurrency crimes.
- The proposed unit would include the Department of Justice, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of the Treasury.
- The legislation aims to improve investigations, victim reporting and law enforcement coordination.
The proposal comes after a year in which Americans reported more than $11 billion in cryptocurrency-related losses. If approved, this measure would create a coordinated reporting and enforcement framework across multiple federal agencies.
Cryptocurrency fraud losses are increasing the call for coordinated enforcement
Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act in Congress. The proposal would establish a working group led by the Attorney General. Officials from the Department of Justice, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Treasury will participate.
The bill arrives after a sharp rise in cryptocurrency-related complaints across the United States. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans filed 181,565 complaints related to cryptocurrencies. These reports resulted in recorded losses exceeding $11.3 billion. Investment fraud generated the lion’s share of those losses. FBI data showed that investment fraud amounted to about $7.2 billion. The volume of complaints also increased by 21% compared to the previous year.
Older Americans reported the highest losses among all age groups. People over the age of 60 filed 44,555 complaints during 2025 FBI He said these victims lost approximately $4.43 billion through cryptocurrency-related schemes. Meanwhile, blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs has reported a rise in criminal activity involving digital assets. According to the company, wallets linked to illicit activity received $158 billion in cryptocurrencies during 2025. The number reached $64.5 billion in 2024.
Bell seeks to create a single reporting channel for victims
Actor Lance Gooden and actor Josh Gottheimer foot Legislation. Lawmakers said victims currently lack a central place to report cryptocurrency-related crimes. The proposal aims to create a more coordinated response structure.
Gooden said Americans need a unified strategy against cryptocurrency criminals. He said fragmented implementation leaves victims without clear support options. The bill seeks to improve communication between agencies that handle cryptocurrency investigations.
Under the proposal, the task force would coordinate investigations across participating agencies. It will also develop uniform guidance for local law enforcement departments. Officials will create procedures to deal with the theft of cryptocurrencies and Fraud cases. The legislation also focuses on helping victims. Lawmakers said the framework would provide a clearer reporting process. Support services will operate through a centralized federal structure.
The proposal follows changes in federal cryptocurrency enforcement
The bill arrives after the Justice Department disbanded the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team in 2025. Officials said the previous unit relied heavily on enforcement actions against industry participants. The current proposal instead focuses on criminal investigations and victim support. Federal agencies already run several programs targeting digital asset crimes.
The FBI’s operational level identifies fraud victims before losses mount. According to the office, the initiative saved more than $225.8 million through 2025. Other agencies are also continuing cryptocurrency enforcement efforts. The Treasury Department’s Fraud Center Strike Force targeted offshore fraud networks. Authorities said the program seized more than $700 million linked to… Frauds.
Industry groups have expressed support for this proposal. The Digital Chamber said law enforcement agencies need stronger tools and training. Dennis Porter, CEO of the Satoshi Action Fund, said the legislation would provide a coordinated federal response for victims and investigators. The measure still must advance through congressional committees before it becomes law. Lawmakers could also attach the proposal to a broader legislative package during the current session.
