DOJ Crypto Seizure: U.S. Takes $400M From Helix Darknet Mixer

The U.S. Department of Justice has seized more than $400 million in crypto and assets linked to Helix, a Bitcoin mixing service which is tied to illegal activity. This action officially closes a case that began almost ten years ago.

Helix operated from 2014 to 2017. During this time, it helped users to mix Bitcoin transactions. As a result, people could hide where their money came from and prosecutors say criminals used this service a lot to move illegal funds.

How Criminals Used Helix

According to court records, Helix processed 354,468 Bitcoin during its operation. At that time, the total value reached around $300 million. Authorities say much of this Bitcoin came from darknet markets like AlphaBay.

These markets sold drugs, stolen data and other illegal goods. Helix allowed users to hide transaction trails. Because of this, law enforcement struggled to track the flow of the money. However, investigators continued to collect data over the many years.

Court Grants Full Ownership to the Government

A final court ruling has now transferred full ownership of the seized assets to the U.S. government. These assets include cryptocurrency, real estate and bank accounts. According to the DOJ, this seizure ranks among the biggest crypto forfeitures in U.S. history.

Officials say that the case proves that crypto crimes leave traces and even years later, authorities can still catch up. As a result, criminals can’t rely on time or technology to escape justice.

Prison Sentence for Helix Operator

Larry Dean Harmon ran Helix, and only later admitted to money laundering. In 2021, a U.S. court sentenced him to 36 months in prison.

At the time, the case marked a shift in enforcement strategy. Instead of targeting only darknet markets, authorities focused on the tools that supported them. Since then, regulators have taken similar actions against other crypto services.

Impact on Crypto Privacy Tools

The Helix case now has fresh debate about crypto privacy tools. Supporters of the DOJ crypto seizure say strong enforcement protects the industry, and argue that illegal use damages trust in digital assets.

Meanwhile, critics warn that harsh rules could slow innovation. Also believing that privacy tools also serve legal users. Overall, the Helix case sends a clear message, saying that crypto does not exist outside the law. Authorities can investigate complex systems and when crimes occur, they can still recover the profits.