U.S. Senators Accuse Deputy Attorney General of Shutting Down DOJ Crypto Enforcement Unit Due to Crypto Asset Holdings

Odaily News Six U.S. Senators, including Mazie K. Hirono, Elizabeth Warren, and Richard Durbin, sent a letter on January 28th to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, questioning his decision to disband the Department of Justice's National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) in April 2025. The senators pointed out that Todd Blanche still held cryptocurrency valued between approximately $158,000 and $470,000 when making the relevant decision, which may constitute a conflict of interest and is suspected of violating federal laws concerning the influence of personal financial interests on official decision-making.

The letter stated that shutting down this enforcement team is considered a "serious mistake" that could facilitate criminal activities such as sanctions evasion, drug trafficking, and fraud. The senators cited data indicating that illicit cryptocurrency activities in 2025 increased by 162% year-over-year, primarily driven by fund inflows related to sanctioned entities and money laundering networks. Currently, Todd Blanche has been listed as a subject of complaint to the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General.