- The US Department of Justice (DOJ) hired a national cryptocurrency enforcement team.
- Ms. Eun Young Choi will be the first Director of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET).
- Earlier, the DOJ also announced that it seized $3.6 billion worth of bitcoin that was stolen back in 2016.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has lately announced Ms. Eun Young Choi to be the first Director of its newly-formed National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET).
The announcement took place last Thursday, Feb 17, as this team was formed after the many cyber criminal acts that happened during the last couple of years. The team’s formation is an attempt to prevent these criminal acts from happening in the future.
During the last couple of years, especially ever since people started investing frequently in cryptocurrency, criminals were able to perform many frauds, cyberattacks, schemes, and more.
Choi said regarding the recent appointment:
The NCET will play a pivotal role in ensuring that as the technology surrounding digital assets grows and evolves, the department in turn accelerates and expands its efforts to combat their illicit abuse by criminals of all kinds.
Choi has been known for her service with deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco where she served as the office’s Cybercrime Coordinator. Additionally, she investigated and prosecuted complex fraud, money laundering, and cyber crimes. Her focus was on network intrusions, digital currency, the dark web, and national security investigations.
Monaco was also known for being involved lately in the arrest of an alleged conspiracy that aimed to launder $3.6 billion worth of bitcoin that was stolen in 2016. Also, Choi was involved as a prosecutor in many cases such as the hacking of J.P. Morgan and other banks.