Money laundering prosecutions are shifting rapidly, and the Department of Justice is tying more cases to national security concerns instead of traditional financial crime theories. In this video, federal criminal defense attorney David Tarras explains how money laundering enforcement is evolving, why cryptocurrency is now central to major investigations, and what individuals need to understand if they are contacted by federal agents or pulled into an international money movement case.
Tarras outlines how DOJ’s priorities have expanded beyond domestic financial schemes to include conduct connected to foreign adversaries, cartels, and international actors operating in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, China, North Korea, and other regions of concern. The federal government is increasingly focused on Americans who move, convert, or transmit funds for individuals abroad, especially when cryptocurrency is involved.
This video covers:
— How national security priorities are influencing money laundering prosecutions
— Why DOJ is targeting U.S. based individuals who transact with foreign actors
— How cryptocurrency has transformed the way agents investigate financial crime
— The rise of dedicated FBI, IRS CI, and interagency crypto task forces
— How foreign organizations use U.S. exchanges, both regulated and unregulated
— Why tracing cryptocurrency now requires examining mixers, exchanges, cross chain transfers, and complex digital pathways
Cryptocurrency and money laundering:
— How digital currency created new opportunities for both legitimate and illicit transactions
— How foreign actors are using crypto to move funds into and out of the United States
— Why cases now involve allegations of converting unlawful crypto into U.S. dollars through exchanges
— How DOJ analyzes activity on platforms like Coinbase, Kraken, and other exchanges
— What mixers are, how they operate, and why they are receiving heightened scrutiny
—- The difference between illegal mixers and legitimate centralized platforms
—- How mixing can disguise sources of funds and complicate federal tracing efforts
Understanding the core money laundering statutes:
— 18 U.S.C. 1957: spending more than ten thousand dollars in unlawful proceeds
— 18 U.S.C. 1956: concealment, disguising funds, and using proceeds to promote further unlawful activity
— Why 1956 charges carry significantly higher penalties
— How bank records and transaction histories form the backbone of traditional cases
— How cryptocurrency is forcing prosecutors to adapt their investigative methods
Current DOJ trends:
— Less focus on attaching money laundering charges to every white collar case
— More focus on individuals who move funds connected to foreign adversaries or criminal organizations
— Fewer add on charges for professionals already accused of complex fraud schemes
— More small scale domestic actors being tied to much larger international networks
— How geopolitical priorities now influence which money laundering cases are brought
Tarras explains how these major shifts create both new risks and new opportunities for defense strategies. Cryptocurrency cases, in particular, involve technical issues, tracing challenges, and evolving legal theories that experienced counsel can leverage to a client’s advantage.
If you are contacted by federal agents, subpoenaed for records, or believe you may be connected to an international financial transaction under review, you should seek counsel immediately. Early legal advice can significantly affect the outcome of a money laundering investigation.