DOJ Blames ’Court Error’ as Trump-Linked Crypto Scam Case Briefly Vanishes from Public Docket
Another day, another crypto scandal with political connections. The DOJ claims a 'court error' temporarily sealed documents in a high-profile cryptocurrency fraud case linked to Trump associates—because what's more trustworthy than government tech competence mixed with digital asset drama?
When the docket mysteriously disappeared, crypto Twitter erupted. Was this a cover-up or just another bureaucratic blunder? The DOJ insists it was accidental—but in an industry where 'trustless' systems are the ideal, faith in centralized institutions keeps taking hits.
The incident highlights crypto's persistent PR problem: even when blockchain transactions are immutable, legal proceedings remain suspiciously editable. Meanwhile, retail investors left holding the bag are reminded that when politicians and crypto collide, the only sure bet is that lawyers get paid.
"It's like they panicked"
The temporary sealing of the entire docket struck former prosecutors as highly unusual.
"I think what they're trying to say is, 'We made a mistake and we don't want anybody knowing about the mistake,'" one anonymous former assistant U.S. attorney who recently departed the office, told NOTUS. "It's like they panicked."
The FBI has since traced the blockchain transactions and recovered 40,300 USDT.ETH of the stolen funds, with stablecoin issuer Tether assisting the authorities in freezing the stolen crypto.
"If you're friendly with TRUMP and you're a Trump crypto bro, you get the DOJ proactively trying to recover your assets," said Mark Hays, a crypto regulation advocate with Americans for Financial Reform.
MoonPay and the DOJ have not yet responded to requests for comment from Decrypt.
