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FBI says Operation Blackout seized more than $15 billion in cryptocurrency

FBI says Operation Blackout seized more than $15 billion in cryptocurrency

FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation dismantled a global fraud network, marking a major enforcement action against crypto-linked illicit activity, Cointelegraph reported.

Fact Check
FBI Director Kash Patel's own X post and Fox News op-ed both confirm Operation Blackout seized/restrained more than $15 billion ($15.2B) in cryptocurrency and other assets while dismantling a global fraud/scam-center network. Fox News reporting corroborates the figures. The core claim—that Patel said Operation Blackout seized more than $15 billion in crypto and dismantled a global fraud network—is accurate. A minor nuance is that the $15B+ total includes crypto (notably ~127,000 Bitcoin) plus other restrained assets.
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Summary

Operation Blackout seized more than $15 billion worth of cryptocurrency and dismantled a global fraud network, according to Cointelegraph. U.S. FBI Director Kash Patel said the action targeted a large-scale fraud operation, underscoring how law enforcement agencies are pursuing digital assets tied to cross-border financial crime. Large crypto seizures typically involve tracing funds across blockchain networks and taking control of wallets connected to illicit activity.

Terms & Concepts
  • cryptocurrency: Digital assets secured by cryptography
  • global fraud network: Cross-border scheme used to deceive victims