A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to establish a dedicated federal task force to combat cryptocurrency-related crimes. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas and Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, the proposed Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act would create a Crypto Crime Response Task Force within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The legislation comes as FBI data reveals over 181,565 crypto-related complaints and more than $11 billion in reported losses in 2025, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated federal action.
The task force aims to fill the void left by the dissolution of the DOJ’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) earlier this year. The NCET, established in 2021, was quietly disbanded under Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s directive, which criticized “regulation by prosecution” and shifted focus to individual criminals rather than platforms. The new bill mandates a more permanent inter-agency framework, bringing together senior officials from the DOJ, FBI, Department of Homeland Security (including Homeland Security Investigations), the Treasury Department, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The Attorney General may also add other agencies as needed.
Unlike broad regulatory efforts, the proposed body is strictly operational, focusing on investigating and prosecuting cryptocurrency theft, scams, and asset recovery. Its responsibilities include developing best practices for collecting and analyzing digital evidence, tracing stolen assets across blockchains, and assisting victims. The bill also emphasizes support for state and local law enforcement through technical guidance and training, as well as international coordination to tackle cross-border crime. Importantly, the legislation explicitly excludes any regulatory authority over cryptocurrency markets or financial institutions, aiming to distinguish criminal misuse from legitimate innovation.
The bipartisan backing signals growing congressional recognition that fragmented enforcement leaves victims underserved. If passed, the task force could not only enhance investor protections but also provide clearer operational boundaries for compliant businesses, potentially reducing uncertainty in the crypto sector.
