Tether Aids $225M Seizure in US Secret Service’s Largest Crypto Bust Ever

The U.S. Secret Service shattered records with a $225 million crypto seizure, spotlighting Tether’s role in dismantling global digital asset fraud at scale.

US Secret Service Achieves Largest $225M Crypto Bust With Tether’s Support

Digital asset firm Tether announced on June 18 that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has recognized its cooperation in a significant enforcement operation involving the seizure of approximately $225 million in USDT. The funds were tied to a large-scale “pig butchering” fraud scheme that targeted victims across various jurisdictions. The acknowledgment highlights Tether’s growing role in combating illicit activity within the digital asset space.

In its continued efforts to set industry standards in compliance, transparency, and crime prevention, Tether stated:

To date, Tether has frozen and blocked over $2.7 billion in USDT connected to illicit activity, leveraging real-time tracking, advanced analytics, and direct collaboration with over 255 law enforcement agencies across more than 55 countries.

The company’s collaboration with the DOJ in this case involved identifying and facilitating the seizure of assets derived from the pig butchering scheme. Tether emphasized: “Working closely with the DOJ, Tether facilitated the seizure of assets identified as proceeds of pig butchering fraud.” CEO Paolo Ardoino stated: “Tether’s work with the Department of Justice underscores our commitment to transparency, proactive engagement with law enforcement, and the protection of users across the digital asset ecosystem. We are setting the standard for compliance in digital assets and leading efforts to ensure stablecoins are not misused by bad actors.”

Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet of the U.S. Secret Service San Francisco Field Office stated:

This seizure of $225.3 million in funds linked to cryptocurrency investment scams marks the largest cryptocurrency seizure in U.S. Secret Service (USSS) history.

This latest seizure is one of several enforcement actions supported by Tether in recent years. In March 2025, Tether assisted the U.S. Secret Service in freezing $23 million in USDT tied to the sanctioned exchange Garantex. Additionally, it worked with Tron, TRM Labs, and Spanish authorities to freeze over $100 million in illegal funds. In 2024, the company supported the Ontario Provincial Police in recovering stolen digital assets and aided the DOJ in freezing over $6 million associated with a Southeast Asia-based criminal network and other fraud schemes.