Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9276 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9276

To establish the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 11, 2026

Mr. Gooden (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Owens, and Ms. Wasserman Schultz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To establish the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following: (1) Cryptocurrency theft and related digital asset crimes have increased in frequency, scale, and sophistication, resulting in significant financial harm to individuals, businesses, and communities across the United States. (2) Cryptocurrency theft has created a criminal justice and law enforcement challenge involving fraud, hacking, theft, conspiracy, and other violations of Federal criminal law. (3) Victims of cryptocurrency theft frequently encounter fragmented and inconsistent responses from Federal, State, and local authorities due to the absence of a centralized Federal coordination mechanism. (4) State and local law enforcement agencies often lack clear guidance, training, and Federal points of contact for responding to cryptocurrency theft incidents.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL CRYPTOCURRENCY THEFT TASK FORCE.

(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of Justice a task force to be known as the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force (in this Act, referred to as ``Task Force''). (b) Leadership.--The Task Force shall be chaired by the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee. (c) Membership.--The Task Force shall include senior representatives from-- (1) the Department of Justice; (2) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (3) the Department of Homeland Security, including Homeland Security Investigations; (4) the Department of the Treasury, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; and (5) any other Federal law enforcement agency the Attorney General determines appropriate. (d) Criminal Law Focus.--The Task Force shall operate consistent with the Attorney General's authorities under title 18, United States Code, and other applicable Federal criminal statutes.

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE.

The Task Force shall-- (1) serve as the primary Federal coordinating body for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of cryptocurrency theft and criminal activity directly related to such theft; (2) improve coordination among Federal law enforcement agencies involved in cryptocurrency theft investigations and prosecutions; (3) develop and disseminate best practices for Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies related to evidence collection, analysis of seized digital evidence for cryptocurrency artifacts, investigative techniques, asset tracing, and victim engagement in cryptocurrency theft cases; (4) provide technical assistance, training, and guidance to State and local law enforcement agencies, including prosecutors, regarding cryptocurrency theft investigations; (5) facilitate information sharing among Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies; (6) identify and report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate, any challenges and gaps in existing criminal enforcement authorities and measures related to cryptocurrency theft along with suggestions for reforms to address such challenges; and (7) coordinate, as appropriate, with international law enforcement partners on cross-border cryptocurrency theft investigations.

SEC. 5. STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COORDINATION.

(a) Outreach.--The Task Force shall conduct regular outreach to relevant State and local law enforcement agencies to collect information to improve investigative coordination and referral processes related to cryptocurrency theft. (b) Voluntary Participation.--Participation by State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments in activities under this Act shall be voluntary.

SEC. 6. CRYPTOCURRENCY THEFT DESCRIBED.

In this Act, the term ``cryptocurrency theft''-- (1) means the intentional unauthorized or unlawful use or transfer of a person's cryptocurrency that constitutes an offense under title 18, United States Code; and (2) includes gaining access by fraudulent means, including hacking, phishing, tricking, or scamming.

SEC. 7. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate that includes-- (1) a summary of the activities of the Task Force; (2) trends and emerging threats related to cryptocurrency theft and criminal activity directly related to such theft; (3) an assessment of coordination with State and local law enforcement agencies; and (4) recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of cryptocurrency theft.

SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to-- (1) authorize the regulation of cryptocurrency, digital asset markets, financial institutions, or financial products; (2) expand or limit the regulatory authority of any Federal agency; (3) create any new criminal offenses; or (4) create any private right of action. <all>