Gooden, Gottheimer Crack Down on Crypto Theft

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) introduced the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act, legislation to strengthen America's ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cryptocurrency theft.

The bill establishes a Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force within the Department of Justice, bringing together DOJ, DHS, Treasury, and federal law enforcement agencies to serve as the primary federal coordinating body for combating crypto theft and supporting victims.

The bill comes in response to a surge in cryptocurrency theft and growing losses suffered by American consumers and victims around the world. According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans reported more than $11 billion in crypto-related losses last year.

"Crypto criminals are stealing billions from Americans, and Washington lacks a coordinated strategy to stop them," said Rep. Gooden. "As digital assets shape the future of finance, this bill protects consumers, cracks down on thieves, and strengthens trust in the crypto ecosystem."

"Last year, Americans lost more than $11 billion to crypto theft and scams, and right now, victims have nowhere to turn," said Rep. Gottheimer. "This bill brings DOJ, DHS, and Treasury together to go after these criminals, support victims, and make sure local law enforcement has the federal backup they need. That means a single federal point of contact, an effective, coordinated response, and a clear playbook for going after the criminals robbing people blind."

Key provisions of the bill:

• Establishes the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force within the Department of Justice, chaired by the Attorney General, with senior representatives from DHS, Treasury, and federal law enforcement agencies.

• Builds a standing playbook for evidence collection, blockchain forensics, and victim support that can be adopted by state and local agencies.

• Requires an annual report to Congress on trends, coordination outcomes, and recommended legislative and administrative fixes.

• Protects innovation by avoiding new regulations, new crimes, or expanded agency authority, and focusing strictly on criminal enforcement and coordination.

The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Burgess Owens (UT-04) and Debbie Wasserman-Schulz (FL-25) and has received industry support from The Digital Chamber and Satoshi Action Fund.

"Crypto theft victims too often face a maze of agencies with no clear point of contact, and the state and local police on the front lines rarely have the training or federal contacts to act. By housing a coordinating task force at the Justice Department, this bill gives victims, investigators, and local law enforcement the unified federal response they have been missing, all on a voluntary basis that respects local control," said Dennis Porter, co-Founder and CEO of Satoshi Action Fund.

"As blockchain technologies become increasingly integrated into financial systems, it is critical that law enforcement agencies have the tools, training, and coordination necessary to investigate theft, trace illicit activity, support victims, and pursue bad actors," said The Digital Chamber.

The bill was featured in an exclusive article by CoinDesk.

Read the bill text here.