The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Northern District of Texas, seeking permanent control over cryptocurrency assets seized earlier this year. On April 15, 2025, the FBI’s Dallas Field Office confiscated 20.2891382 Bitcoin—originally valued at more than $1.7million and now worth approximately $2.4million—from a particular cryptocurrency address linked to suspected criminal activity.
According to the DOJ’s complaint (Case No. 3:25-CV-01920-K), the funds are believed to be tied to ransomware operations and illicit financial schemes. Investigators traced the Bitcoin to a digital wallet controlled by someone known as “Hors,” an alleged member of the Chaos ransomware group, which has been linked to multiple cyberattacks in Texas and elsewhere. Authorities allege the assets represent proceeds from or property used to further criminal conduct, including money laundering and extortion stemming from ransomware incidents.
Federal officials stated that the confiscated cryptocurrency is considered property involved in or derived from unlawful activity, specifically money laundering and computer extortion. Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson emphasized that civil forfeiture is a key tool for disrupting cybercriminal organizations and their financial networks. The FBI’s Dallas team led the investigation, employing advanced blockchain-tracing techniques to identify and seize the targeted assets.
The case highlights ongoing debates about digital assets. While critics point to risks such as enabling criminal finance, proponents note that cryptocurrencies can also be used for legitimate activities like streamlined international payments and expanding financial access.
30 July 2025
Country:
USA
Topic:
Law & Crime