U.S. House Bill Seeks Federal Crypto Theft Task Force to Combat Rising Digital Asset Crime

A new bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would create a Federal Crypto Theft Task Force to coordinate investigations into crypto theft, fraud, scams and cyberattacks.

The task force would be led by the U.S. attorney general and include the Department of Justice, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Treasury Department and other federal agencies. The legislation was introduced by Representative Lance Gooden, a Texas Republican serving on the House Judiciary Committee, and Representative Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee.

Lawmakers Cite Billions Lost to Crypto Crime

Gooden said crypto criminals are stealing billions of dollars from Americans while the government lacks a coordinated strategy to fight back. Gottheimer said crypto thefts and scams caused around $11 billion in losses last year and argued that victims often have no clear place to seek help.

The proposed task force would become the primary federal coordination point for preventing and investigating crypto theft, including exchange hacks, ransomware attacks, pig-butchering scams, organized criminal networks and state backed cybercrime.

Industry Support and Legislative Outlook

Supporters say responses to crypto theft remain inconsistent across federal, state and local agencies. The proposal has received backing from digital asset advocacy groups, which argue that better coordination, training and investigative resources are needed to trace stolen funds, support victims and pursue criminals. The bill must still move through Congress before it can become law.