Federal and local authorities gathered in Las Vegas on Monday for a focused panel on the growing use of cryptocurrency in criminal enterprises. The Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force hosted the discussion to improve coordination on charging decisions, asset forfeiture, and the fast-changing world of digital currency.
The session highlighted how criminals from Mexican cartels to opportunistic scammers now rely on blockchain technology to move money quickly across borders while trying to hide their tracks. Officials stressed the need for stronger partnerships as they work to trace these funds, disrupt networks, and return money to victims.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada opened with a clear message about the task force’s mission. “The Homeland Security Task Force underscores our shared commitment to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings,” she said. “Cryptocurrency is evolving, but our task force partners are using every available tool to disrupt money laundering and seize funds for victims.”
FBI Las Vegas Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto described how criminals across many threat categories now turn to virtual currency. “For these actors, virtual currency is just another layering technique, used to obfuscate who the true beneficial owners are,” he noted. “We are committed to any tool and partner that assists us in tracing the money, which illuminates networks and identifies opportunities for asset forfeiture.”
Panelists covered practical topics, including current trends in crypto-related crimes, investigative technologies, and the legal steps required to seize digital assets. They paid special attention to the challenges posed by transnational groups that treat cryptocurrency as a borderless means of moving illicit profits.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brandon Lesky pointed to real-world examples from drug cases. “Cryptocurrency is increasingly being adopted by Transnational Criminal Organizations, as it provides the capability to rapidly and safely transfer capital across borders through an encrypted blockchain,” he explained. “We’ve seen this play out in some of our drug investigations. Mexican cartels and other global criminal networks, for example, trade bulk cash for cryptocurrency to facilitate global drug trafficking.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge John Wester from the San Francisco Field Division emphasized the pace of change. “Cryptocurrency can move quickly. Technology is constantly evolving, and it is important that members of law enforcement stay knowledgeable about new technology/platforms that may be involved in federal investigations.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dave Lowe added perspective from financial crimes expertise. “As cryptocurrency has become an integral part of the global financial system, its mainstream presence unfortunately makes it an attractive vehicle for opportunistic criminals,” he said. “But at their core, all financial crimes have the same bones. This is why IRS-CI remains committed to our foundational strength: following the money.”
Agencies represented at the panel included the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
The event comes as Las Vegas continues to serve as a hub for both legitimate cryptocurrency activity and enforcement efforts against its misuse. With major conferences and a growing digital finance presence in the region, local and federal teams see value in regular collaboration to stay ahead of emerging schemes.
Law enforcement officials made clear they aim to target bad actors without slowing legitimate innovation in the sector. The task force hopes to make it more difficult for criminals to hide behind blockchain anonymity while protecting communities from the harms of these illicit flows through collective resources and case sharing.
Such panel discussions signal a proactive stance as cryptocurrency becomes more mainstream: Authorities are developing the expertise and the contacts necessary to stay a step ahead of both the technology and the criminals who exploit it. The nature of this ongoing interagency relationship will likely influence the investigation and prosecution of these complex financial crimes in Nevada and elsewhere.
Law enforcement speak at Cryptocurrency Panel held at U.S. Attorney's Office. © DEA