Crypto crime this week: Oct 19–25, 2026

312 stories this week · most active: Hacks & Exploits (66), Scams & Consumer Fraud (64), Policy, Regulation & Compliance (36) · 4 official releases

Official actions

DOJ’s Fraud Division, Department of Agriculture, and USDA OIG Uncover Nearly $42M in SNAP Benefit Fraud in Nationwide Enforcement Surge Involving Suspected Illegal AliensDOJ Justice News · Oct 21Official release
Philippines-Based American Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Targeting Thousands of U.S. Servicemembers and VeteransDOJ Justice News · Oct 20Official release
NASAA Comment Letter to the SEC Regarding S7-2026-27: Regulation Crypto AssetsNASAA Investor Education & Alerts · Oct 20Official release
CFTC Secures Federal Court Orders Requiring Former Long Island Resident and His Firm to Pay Over $288 Million for Operating a Commodity Pool Ponzi SchemeCFTC Digital Asset Frauds · Oct 19Official release

Hacks & Exploits 66 stories

Canadian bitcoin firm Coinkite facing proposed class-action lawsuit after $140-million hackThe Globe and Mail · Oct 24
Keystone wallet hack exposes buyers’ home addresses, sparking security fearscrypto.news · Oct 25
Qubic opens claims portal after wallet seed flaw exposes 1,404 accountsCryptopolitan · Oct 21
Bitget says no user data exposed in alleged TiDB Cloud breachCrypto Briefing · Oct 20

Scams & Consumer Fraud 64 stories

Argentinian judge drops fraud investigation into Milei over crypto scandalAl Jazeera · Oct 24
CT Man Pleads Guilty to $1.1M Crypto Fraud Scheme Tied to Online GamblingGambling News · Oct 21
Wolcott man pleads guilty to $1M cryptocurrency fraud schemeWTNH.com · Oct 19
Stanford FCU, Banks Win Dismissal Of Lawsuit Over Nearly $570,000 Cryptocurrency ScamCUToday · Oct 19

Who can freeze stolen crypto (exchanges, Tether, Circle), what they need, and how to give a freeze the best chance.

What to do nextWallet Drainer Attack: What to Do in the First 72 Hours

Revoke, document, report, freeze, trace: the emergency playbook for the hours right after a drain.

If this happened to youHow to Report Crypto Theft to the FBI: A Complete IC3 Walkthrough

What IC3 is, what to include in your report, and what actually happens after you submit.

Policy, Regulation & Compliance 36 stories

WuBlockchain Weekly: a16z Crypto Rebrands, CZ Warns of Critical PHP Vulnerabilities, First Rules Under GENIUS Act Released, etcSubstack · Oct 23
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire says Democrats won’t reverse the GENIUS ActCrypto Briefing · Oct 25
Seoul weighs letting crypto exchanges trade token securities as Bithumb fights regulators in courtCryptopolitan · Oct 23
CLARITY Act: Lummis says Democrats blocked tougher rules against crypto crimecrypto.news · Oct 23

Law Enforcement Actions 36 stories

Trump vows crypto scam crackdown then gets hit with lawsuitTheStreet · Oct 22
Wolcott Man Pleads Guilty in Stake.com Crypto Fraud CaseRG.org · Oct 21
Elmin Redzepagic Pleads Guilty in $1.16 Million Crypto Fraud CaseTOKENPOST · Oct 21
‘Crypto King’ Aiden Pleterski’s fraud trial adjourned until next week due to medical issueCBC · Oct 20

Money Laundering 30 stories

Inside Taiwan’s Hunt for the Prince Group’s Money: How Financial Intelligence Analysts Traced $343 Million Laundered By Scam Empire Linked to PRC OfficialsThe Bureau | Sam Cooper · Oct 20
Doctor Profit Warns of a Very Big Monero (XMR) Liquidation EventBeInCrypto · Oct 21
Bitget announcement on suspending RUNE - THORChain network withdrawal serviceBitget Announcements API · Oct 23
Man in Salem gift card fraud case faces new crypto launderin...New Hampshire Union Leader · Oct 25

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