What Crypto Cases Look Like Right Now

Regulators are casting wide nets. Even legitimate crypto activity can trigger scrutiny if it looks unfamiliar or threatens traditional financial systems.

Here are the charges we see most:

• Unregistered Securities Offerings — If you launched a token, an NFT, or ran a staking or lending program, the SEC might say you sold securities illegally.

• Wire Fraud — Misstatements to investors, whitepapers that overpromised, or public statements that moved markets can all draw DOJ attention.

• Market Manipulation — Price pumps, token coordination groups, or high-volume trading patterns may trigger allegations of spoofing or wash trading.

• Money Laundering — Moving assets through mixers, exchanges without KYC, or foreign wallets can be enough to trigger charges.

• Conspiracy or RICO — The DOJ uses these to rope in multiple players, even if their roles were minor or indirect.

You don’t need to be guilty to be charged. You just need to be misunderstood—or convenient. A criminal or regulatory investigation is expensive and will damage your reputation. Experienced counsel is needed.

The Agencies You're Dealing With

SEC – Civil Enforcement

The Securities and Exchange Commission leads most crypto enforcement actions. They file civil lawsuits for alleged violations of federal securities laws—particularly unregistered securities offerings.

Expect:

• Subpoenas demanding documents and communications

• Wells Notices warning that charges are coming

• Freezes on wallets or accounts

The SEC isn’t just after companies. It targets founders, developers, and marketers personally.

DOJ – Criminal Prosecution

The Department of Justice handles criminal investigations. If you're under DOJ scrutiny, jail time is on the table. They pursue:

• Wire fraud

• Securities fraud

• Money laundering

• Obstruction

You may face:

• Search warrants

• Grand jury subpoenas

• Target letters

DOJ prosecutors collaborate with FBI agents, IRS-CI, and even international authorities. If you wait too long, they’ll lock in their narrative—and you’ll be playing defense from behind.

CFTC – Commodities Oversight

The CFTC goes after crypto products they view as commodities, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. They bring civil actions for fraud and unregistered trading platforms. If you ran a DeFi app, DEX, or margin product, the CFTC may knock.

State Attorneys General

Don’t forget state enforcers. The NYAG, Florida AG, and Massachusetts AG have all pursued high-profile crypto cases. They often team up with federal agencies.

Why Clients Trust Dynamis

We don’t do everything. We do this.

Our firm is built for complex criminal and regulatory defense—especially in emerging tech.

• Ex-DOJ Firepower – Our partners include three former Assistant U.S. Attorneys - Eric Rosen, Michael Homer and Jamie Solano. We’ve tried federal cases. We know how prosecutors think. We work nationwide.

• Speed and Strategy – When you’re under investigation, time is leverage. We act immediately to protect your position.

• Technical Fluency – We understand crypto protocols, wallets, exchanges, and DeFi mechanics. You won’t waste time explaining the basics.

• Trial Readiness – If it comes to court, we don’t blink. But our goal is always to end investigations before they get there.

We’re proud to represent people who’ve been mischaracterized, misunderstood, or targeted for political headlines. Our job is to stop charges before they start.

Read more about our white-collar criminal defense work.

Examples of Our Work

• DSW Insider Trading Case: We represented a key defendant in one of the highest-profile SEC tipping cases in recent years.

• Coinbase User Lawsuit: We took on a major crypto platform in a mass action involving access and product liability issues.

• Blender.Io Mixer: We represent a defendant charged as part of a sustained DOJ attack on crypto mixers.

• Saitama Coin: We represent the lead defendant in a multi-national cross-border DOJ investigation into an alleged pump and dump of the Saitama token.

We handle both defense and plaintiff-side litigation when crypto rights are at stake.

What To Do Right Now If You’re Involved

Don’t try to figure this out on your own. The biggest mistake we see? People waiting until it’s too late.

If you're dealing with:

• A subpoena or document request

• A search or freeze order

• A letter from SEC, DOJ, or any federal agency

Here's what to do:

1. Stop talking. Do not respond without counsel.

2. Preserve everything. Don’t delete emails, chats, or wallet logs. Destruction of evidence is a separate charge.

3. Get real representation. You need someone who speaks both crypto and federal law.

We represent clients in Boston, New York, Miami, and nationwide.

You’ll Talk to a Partner — Not a Gatekeeper

We don’t push you to junior associates. When you call Dynamis, you speak directly with a lawyer who’s led federal cases.

No intake forms. No slow onboarding. Just fast, focused defense.

Reach out now for a confidential consultation. Contact partners Eric Rosen, Michael Homer, Jamie Solano or Robert Frenchman.