UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. 280 VIRTUAL CURRENCY ACCOUNTS
Contents
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Action No. 20-2396 (TJK)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
280 VIRTUAL CURRENCY ACCOUNTS,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The United States seeks the forfeiture of 279 virtual currency accounts containing funds
linked to alleged hacks of virtual currency exchanges by North Korean operatives.1
It alleges that,
following those hacks, these accounts were each involved in a conspiracy to engage in three types
of money laundering—concealment, promotion or international promotion money laundering—or
are otherwise traceable to such property. For the reasons explained below, the Court will grant the
United States’ motion for default judgment and order forfeiture of these virtual currency accounts,
which it refers to as the Defendant Properties.
Background
A. Virtual Currency
Bitcoin, Ether, and other so-called “cryptocurrencies” are types of virtual currency used in
online transactions. ECF No. 20 (“Am. Compl.”) ¶ 7. To send and receive funds, customers use
unique addresses that function like email addresses, and one user may have many and may even
use a different one …
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Action No. 20-2396 (TJK)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
280 VIRTUAL CURRENCY ACCOUNTS,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The United States seeks the forfeiture of 279 virtual currency accounts containing funds
linked to alleged hacks of virtual currency exchanges by North Korean operatives.1
It alleges that,
following those hacks, these accounts were each involved in a conspiracy to engage in three types
of money laundering—concealment, promotion or international promotion money laundering—or
are otherwise traceable to such property. For the reasons explained below, the Court will grant the
United States’ motion for default judgment and order forfeiture of these virtual currency accounts,
which it refers to as the Defendant Properties.
Background
A. Virtual Currency
Bitcoin, Ether, and other so-called “cryptocurrencies” are types of virtual currency used in
online transactions. ECF No. 20 (“Am. Compl.”) ¶ 7. To send and receive funds, customers use
unique addresses that function like email addresses, and one user may have many and may even
use a different one …