Category: Forfeiture

Examples of Extreme Government Overreach in Cryptocurrency Asset Forfeiture

To understand this problem with government overreach when seizing cryptocurrency, let’s look at a recent case decided on March 3, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. In United States v. 674,739.480211 USDT of Tether Cryptocurrency, No. 5:25-cv-01040 (BKS/PJE) 2026 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42940 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 3, 2026), […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on May 2, 2026

What to Do if Your Cryptocurrency is Frozen or Seized: A 5-Step Guide

What happens if Tether tells you that your USDT is blacklisted or frozen at the request of a federal law enforcement agency in the United States? In other cases, cryptocurrency might be frozen at an exchange like MEXC, Binance, or Coinbase, because the exchange was served with a seizure warrant issued by a law enforcement […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on February 25, 2026

Blockchain Law

Blockchain Law and Civil Asset Forfeiture “Blockchain law” refers to the emerging legal field addressing the legal, regulatory, and policy issues arising from the use of blockchain technology, digital assets (like cryptocurrencies and stablecoins), and smart contracts. Blockchain law has become an increasingly important area of practice as government agencies expand their use of seizure […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on December 22, 2025

How Much Cash Can You Take to the Airport?

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent clients after their cash or other valuable property is taken at the airport. After the seizure, most people are shocked to learn that federal agents can seize money this way. Our clients might want to fly with cash for any variety of reasons including moving, planning to buy […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on December 6, 2025

Circle

Seizure of Frozen Crypto Wallets on Circle Circle is a global financial technology company that issues USD Coin (USDC). USDC is a regulated stablecoin. Circle helps businesses manage digital currencies for payments, commerce, and other financial applications by serving as a financial platform built on cryptocurrency and public blockchains. As a centralized issuer of USDC, Circle […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on October 4, 2025

Attorneys Filing Claims for BTC-e Civil Asset Forfeiture Proceedings

BTC-e Account Holders in the Cryptocurrency Forfeiture Case On June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a sweeping civil asset forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency and fiat funds connected to the BTC-e cryptocurrency exchange. The case […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on August 18, 2025

Volusia County Seizing Cryptocurrency for Forfeiture – What Can Go Wrong?

What happens if local law enforcement agencies in Florida seize cryptocurrency from foreign nationals and overseas companies, despite not having legal authority to do so? Leslie Sammis, an attorney with Sammis Law Firm, recently resolved one such case. As a result of her efforts, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office was forced to return everything it […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on July 29, 2025

TRON

Seizures of Tron Wallets for Forfeiture One crypto network growing quickly is Tron, known for its faster transaction times, low fees, and stability. Tron is registered in the British Virgin Islands. The most dominant cryptocurrency on the Tron network is Tether, the third-largest cryptocurrency token. As the largest stablecoin, Tether strives for a 1:1 peg […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on July 25, 2025

Crypto

Seizures of Cryptocurrency by FBI for Forfeiture The FBI’s Virtual Assets Unit is freezing and then seizing cryptocurrencies for a wide range of crimes, including crypto-investment fraudulent schemes such as money laundering. The goal of these seizures is to financially strangle illicit networks. Unfortunately, innocent cryptocurrency owners are often caught up in the FBI’s net […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on July 22, 2025

Big Problems for Florida’s Cyber Fraud Unit Seizing Cryptocurrency for Forfeiture

What if Florida’s Attorney General wanted to create its own cryptocurrency “strategic reserve”? It could train law enforcement officers across the state to look for scams involving cryptocurrency. Those scams include overseas fraudsters calling Florida residents to convince them to put cash into a virtual currency kiosk through fraud. Many of those scams target the […]

Written by Leslie Sammis on July 20, 2025

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