In a move that could raise eyebrows across Washington and Silicon Valley, the U.S. Department of Justice officially pulled out the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) plug. If that sounds like a big deal, then yes.
DOJ says that is the focus of the shift. Instead of chasing Crypto significantly, they aim to narrower people using their digital assets for “serious” crimes, such as drug trafficking, terrorist financing, and hacking.
Destruction: US Department of Justice will disband “immediately effective” crypto enforcement unit to comply with Trump orders
war #bitcoin It’s finished 
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– Bitcoin Historian (@pete_rizzo_) April 8, 2025
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has made it clear that this is not softening, but rather strategic. He criticized past tactics as overly offensive, and said the DOJ wouldn’t continue what he called “restrictions by prosecution.” From now on, if someone gets caught up in a crypto-related case with no clear criminal intent, the department’s attitude is:
DOJ Crypto Enforcement Team Cancellation: Impact on Crypto Platform
The change could be a breath of fresh air for crypto platforms and developers who have been nervously checking their subpoena inboxes for the past few years. Under the new approach, tools like crypto mixers, cold wallets, or debt platforms are not punished just because bad actors used them.
That’s a pretty big change. The government ultimately suggests that it draws a clear line between high-tech infrastructure and criminal intent.
However, it is not without risk. Critics argue that this opens doors for suspicious operators to exploit space, and enforcement is dialed. For now, it is a balanced act of promoting innovation and maintaining basic accountability.
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Politics behind the DOJ’s move to disband cryptocurrency enforcement teams
Zoom out easily. This is not happening in a vacuum.
The policy changes are in a clean line with President Trump’s broader agenda to loosen regulations around code. And yes, it’s worth noting: Trump’s family has skin to the game. Family cryptographic involvement has attracted the attention of lawmakers through ventures such as the World Liberty Financial and the launch of its own tokens ($Trump and $Melania).
Congressional Democrats have asked the SEC to keep records related to these ventures, suggesting potential conflicts of interest. Whether these concerns are everywhere or not, they encourage already politically charged debates about cryptography surveillance.
Meanwhile, the SEC also relaxes petrol pedals, acting chairman Mark Ueda. They have filed lawsuits against famous exchanges such as Coinbase and Kraken. The message from Washington is clear. The atmosphere of regulations has changed.
How the crypto industry is responding to DOJ closing its cryptocurrency enforcement team
Naturally, the reactions are mixed. Part of the Crypto world is celebrating its shift as a long-term breathing patio for builders and innovators. But others worry that too much generosity can make the space more vulnerable, scam, money laundering, or even worse.
One case stands out in particular. Roman Storm, developer of CryptoMixerTornado Cash. Storm is accused of allegedly making money laundering possible, but under his defense, the new lens of DOJ, he built a tool rather than a crime ring.
The DOJ shift presents a new chapter on how the US handles crypto crime. Whether this leads to a more balanced and effective framework or just confusion remains to be seen. For now, the crypto world knows that the rules of engagement have changed.
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Key takeout
DOJ officially closed the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) and shifted away from wider enforcement beyond the crypto space.
This focuses on serious crimes such as terrorist financing, drug trafficking, and cyberattacks, rather than everyday developers or infrastructure builders.
Deputy Director Ag Todd Blanche criticized the previous approach as “prosecutor’s regulations,” signaling a softer, more strategic enforcement strategy.
Crypto mixers, wallets, and debt platforms will not be targeted unless the developer knowingly promotes illegal activities.
Critics warn that this could open the door to exploit the decline in scrutiny.
The cryptocurrency enforcement team was disbanded as the DOJ Alters strategy first appeared in 99 Bitcoins.
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