TLDR
Trump has authorized a new offensive cyber program aimed at foreign criminal networks that run large scale crypto scams against Americans.
- The memorandum creates a federally supervised program letting vetted US companies help disrupt overseas scam operations, including those using cryptocurrencies.
- The move responds to massive crypto fraud losses, with over half of 2025 internet crime losses tied to cryptocurrency scams.
- Impact will depend on how the program is implemented over the next 60 days and whether it complements, rather than replaces, stronger public protections for retail users.
Deep Dive
1. New Cyber Crime Program
On 12 Aug 2026, Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum titled Expanding Capabilities to Combat Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime, establishing a program for vetted US private firms to conduct cyber surveillance and disruption missions against foreign criminal networks under federal oversight. The memo explicitly targets ransomware, phishing, financial fraud and impersonation schemes that often rely on fake crypto investment platforms and wallet scams.
Under the framework, participating companies must contract with the Department of Justice or Homeland Security, pass technical and security vetting, and post a bond or escrow of at least 1 million dollars that can be forfeited for noncompliance, all managed by a National Coordination Center run by DOJ and DHS appointees. Officials have 60 days to define operating procedures, eligibility standards, target review and safeguards for US persons before any missions can begin, according to the Bitcoin.com summary.
Expect more coordinated takedowns of offshore scam rings and infrastructure, but this is a back end enforcement tool, not a replacement for basic user protection habits.
2. Scale Of Crypto Scam Problem
The memo is framed against striking FBI data. In 2025, Americans reported 20.877 billion dollars in internet crime losses, with cryptocurrency related complaints totaling about 11.37 billion dollars and 181,565 cases, over half of all reported losses. Investment fraud tied to crypto alone accounted for roughly 7.2 billion dollars in losses, highlighting how deeply scams have penetrated retail participation.
Prior coordinated actions show what this kind of program can do. Recent operations combining sanctions, infrastructure seizures and blockchain analysis against groups like Huione and Prince Group, and Operation Atlantic mapping about 45 million dollars in crypto fraud and freezing 12 million dollars in stolen funds, demonstrate that cyber and on chain tools can materially disrupt scam ecosystems when directed at scale.
The policy is a recognition that crypto scams are now a systemic problem, so enforcement is shifting from reactive case work toward more proactive targeting of entire networks and money flows.
3. What To Watch Next
The key near term signal is how the 60 day implementation window is used: which firms are approved, how strict the safeguards for US persons are, and how much emphasis is placed on crypto heavy fraud channels such as pig butchering investment scams. The programs classified targeting annex and any public follow up guidance will determine how aggressively it can move against scam compounds in Southeast Asia and other hubs that rely on crypto rails.
Broader context matters. At the same time, Trumps administration has relaxed several domestic enforcement efforts and pushed for friendlier rules on legitimate crypto businesses, while Congress has stalled on the CLARITY Act market structure bill. The net impact for crypto users will depend on whether offensive operations against scammers are paired with clearer rules and robust consumer protections, or operate in a landscape where retail still faces opaque risks.
For everyday crypto users, this is a potential tailwind on the enforcement side, but the practical protection still starts with skepticism toward unsolicited offers, careful venue choice and quick reporting when something looks wrong.
Conclusion
Trumps new memorandum signals a willingness to use offensive cyber capabilities and private sector expertise to go after the cross border networks behind many crypto scams, responding to multi billion dollar annual losses. The real benefit for crypto participants will depend on how the program is implemented and whether it is complemented by transparent rules and strong consumer protections, so watching the next 60 days of guidance and any high profile takedowns will be key to gauging its impact.
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