U.S. Authorities Post $15 Million Bounty in Ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding’s Crypto-Fueled Trafficking Saga

Federal agents just dropped a bombshell reward that could make crypto whales blush—$15 million for information leading to the capture of former Olympian Ryan Wedding, whose alleged trafficking ring ran on digital currency rails.

The Dark Side of Crypto Adoption

While legitimate institutions embrace blockchain technology, Wedding's case exposes how bad actors exploit crypto's pseudonymous nature. The $15 million bounty—one of the largest in recent memory—signals how seriously authorities are taking crypto-enabled crime.

Tracking Digital Breadcrumbs

Investigators are following the money trail across multiple blockchain networks. Wedding's Olympic background and celebrity status provided perfect cover while moving illicit funds through crypto wallets—proving even gold medalists can tarnish their legacy when greed takes over.

Regulatory Reckoning Coming?

This high-profile case adds fuel to regulators' arguments for tighter crypto oversight. Because nothing says 'financial revolution' like having to post eight-figure bounties to catch criminals using your technology. The irony would be delicious if it weren't so damaging to mainstream adoption.

U.S. Authorities Up Reward Money In Shocking Olympian Case

According to a November 19 press release from the DOJ, Wedding is charged with overseeing the criminal enterprise as well as the January 2025 killing of a federal witness who was affiliated with the prosecution’s case against the one-time Canadian athlete.

Ryan Wedding is one of the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives – allegedly responsible for an untold amount of Americans suffering through narcotics trafficking. This week, the @FBI and great partners took down a major part of his network – 10+ arrests – and we’re one step closer to… pic.twitter.com/Kz8RGZZRrs

The U.S. government alleges that Wedding “placed a bounty” against the federal witness, resulting in his murder at a resturant in Colombia earlier this year.

“Whether you’re a kingpin or a dealer on the street, anyone who sells drugs to our kids will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Ryan Wedding controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world and works closely with the Sinaloa Cartel.”

“We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled,” she added.

Ryan Wedding’s Crypto Connection

The U.S. government claims that Wedding used a “sophisticated” Tether network to launder funds illicitly obtained through his extensive drug network before ultimately moving them into one he controlled.

In one incident laid out in the indictment, one defendant “received approximately $2,000,000,000 COP” converted from cryptocurrency “as payment for the approximately 300 kilograms of cocaine.”

Moreover, U.S. authorities have upped Wedding’s $10 million reward to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or prosecution.

If convicted, Wedding is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison for his crimes.