Inside the Helix Bust: US DOJ Takes Control of $400 Million Linked to Darknet Crypto Crimes
The U.S. Department of Justice has seized over $400 million in assets linked to Helix, a major Bitcoin mixing service used by darknet criminals. The assets include cryptocurrencies, real estate, and funds forfeited by Larry Dean Harmon, the Ohio-based founder of Helix, who pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced to 36 months in prison. Operating from 2014 to 2017, Helix processed over 354,000 Bitcoin (worth approximately $311 million at the time) to obscure transactions for darknet market vendors involved in narcotics, fraud, and other illegal activities. The case, finalized in January 2026, highlights advancements in blockchain tracing and international cooperation in combating crypto-enabled crime networks.
ccn.com01/30 09:36
