UK Escalates Crypto Fraud Crackdown as National Security Threat, Seizes $6 Billion
The UK government has declared cryptocurrency fraud a national security priority, seizing $6 billion in assets and launching a £150 million initiative (Project WINTERPROOF) to combat cross-border scams. Blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis reports $14 billion flowed to fraudulent crypto addresses in 2025 alone, with fraud now accounting for 40% of all UK crimes.
Authorities are shifting from reactive enforcement to proactive disruption using blockchain analytics. The City of London Police notes cryptocurrencies are involved in 66% of investment fraud cases, prompting international collaboration to track illicit funds. This marks a strategic pivot: treating crypto fraud as organized crime rather than isolated financial offenses.