U.S., U.K., and Canada Launch Operation Atlantic to Crack Down on Crypto Scams

TheNewsCryptoPublicado em 2026-03-17Última atualização em 2026-03-17

Resumo

U.S., U.K., and Canadian law enforcement agencies have launched Operation Atlantic, a coordinated effort to combat crypto-related scams and fraud networks. The operation involves agencies including the U.S. Secret Service, the U.K. National Crime Agency, and Canada’s Ontario Provincial Police, among others. Its primary goals are to disrupt organized fraud, recover stolen funds, protect victims from further losses, and raise public awareness of crypto investment scams. The initiative specifically targets "approval phishing" and "pig butchering" schemes, which have cost victims millions. Operation Atlantic builds on the earlier Project Atlas, expanding cross-border enforcement with more international partners to strengthen accountability in the digital asset sector.

The law enforcement agencies from three countries have started Operation Atlantic, an organized effort to disrupt crypto-related scams, dismantle fraud networks, and boost cross-border operations to target unlawful conduct in the digital asset space.

On March 16, the National Crime Agency (NCA) reported on Operation Atlantic, stating that it was a joint effort by law enforcement agencies from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

As per the report, the agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service, the U.K. National Crime Agency, Canada’s Ontario Provincial Police, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the City of London Police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority are participating.

The Operation Atlantic’s main objective is to disrupt the organized fraud schemes, reclaim stolen money, help victims protect assets to prevent further loss, and increase public awareness of crypto investment frauds.

The operation also targets people who have lost or are in danger of losing cryptos through a method called “approval phishing,” which is usually connected to online investment scams, also called “pig butchering,” in which victims are gradually tricked into sending large amounts of money to fraudsters over time.

Then, the United States Secret Service agency noted, “Approval phishing and investment scams cost victims millions in financial loss each year,” said Brent Daniels, the Deputy Assistant Director for the U.S. Secret Service’s Office of Field Operations. Further, stating that the primary objective of Operation Atlantic is for the US Secret Service and its international law enforcement partners to quickly detect and stop these scams.

The agency also reported that Operation Atlantic expands upon Project Atlas, a 2024 project to tackle cryptocurrency fraud networks that was started by the United States Secret Service and the Ontario Provincial Police. With that, the latest Operation Atlantic strengthens cross-border enforcement activities by adding more international partners than the previous project

With that, the efforts of three countries indicate a stronger stance against crypto fraud as authorities aim to address legislative gaps and strengthen responsibility in the digital asset sector.

Top Updated Crypto News

Crypto Market Shows Gains as US Diesel and Gasoline Prices Rise

TagsCanadaCryptocurrencyUKUS

Perguntas relacionadas

QWhat is the main objective of Operation Atlantic?

AThe main objective of Operation Atlantic is to disrupt organized fraud schemes, reclaim stolen money, help victims protect assets to prevent further loss, and increase public awareness of crypto investment frauds.

QWhich countries are participating in Operation Atlantic?

AThe United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada are the countries participating in Operation Atlantic.

QWhat specific type of crypto scam is Operation Atlantic targeting, as mentioned in the article?

AOperation Atlantic is targeting scams that use a method called 'approval phishing,' which is often connected to online investment scams also known as 'pig butchering.'

QWhich previous project does Operation Atlantic expand upon?

AOperation Atlantic expands upon Project Atlas, a 2024 project that was started by the United States Secret Service and the Ontario Provincial Police to tackle cryptocurrency fraud networks.

QWhich specific law enforcement agencies from the U.S. and U.K. are mentioned as participants in the operation?

AFrom the U.S., the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are mentioned. From the U.K., the National Crime Agency (NCA), the City of London Police, and the Financial Conduct Authority are mentioned.

Leituras Relacionadas

Must-Watch Events Next Week|CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

**Summary: Key Events and Developments to Watch (August 3-9)** The upcoming week is marked by significant financial disclosures, key legislative deadlines, and notable product updates. **Major Financial Events:** Several companies are scheduled to release their Q2 2026 earnings. American Bitcoin (ABTC) will report on August 3, followed by SpaceX and Hut 8 Mining Corp. on August 4, and Circle on August 5. Notably, a significant portion of SpaceX shares (up to 12% of total shares) will be unlocked on August 6 following their earnings release. **Key Legislative Deadline:** The U.S. Senate faces an August 7 deadline to secure 60 votes for the CLARITY Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to establish a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The Senate may hold a full vote on the bill during the week. **Economic Data:** The U.S. July Non-Farm Payrolls report will be released on August 7, providing crucial labor market data. **Technology & Product Updates:** * **Shutdowns:** DeFi portfolio tracker Zapper and wallet app Ctrl Wallet will cease operations on August 3. * **Upgrades:** LayerZero will deprecate its v1 relayers on August 3. XRP Ledger's new version 3.3.0, featuring five new functions, is expected next week. * **AI:** Elon Musk announced that the advanced Grok 4.6 AI model is set for release around August 7. * **Bitcoin:** The BIP-110 forced signaling for a potential Bitcoin network change is scheduled to begin around August 8. **Other Notable Events:** Chinese robotics firm Unitree Tech has set its preliminary price inquiry for its IPO for August 5. South Korean exchange Upbit will delist AQT and AERGO tokens on August 3.

marsbitHá 13m

Must-Watch Events Next Week|CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

marsbitHá 13m

Stocks Are Plummeting More Sharply Than Cryptocurrencies. Where Has the Money Gone?

Stock Markets Plunge Deeper Than Cryptocurrencies: Where Did the Money Go? In late July, Seoul's Kospi index triggered circuit breakers for two consecutive days, plummeting over 40% from its June high. The collapse was led by heavyweight stocks like SK Hynix, whose record profits still disappointed investors, and devastating leveraged ETFs, with one major product losing over 83% of its value. This signaled a global, forced deleveraging targeting the most crowded trades. Interestingly, while stocks exhibited extreme volatility akin to crypto markets, Bitcoin rose nearly 15% in July after a prior steep drop. Analysis shows the money fleeing equities did not flow into Bitcoin. Instead, Bitcoin had already absorbed its sell-off in May-June, when U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw historic outflows. The true safe-haven beneficiary was gold, whose price rose over 20% year-on-year, highlighting a decoupling between Bitcoin and gold as "digital gold." The sell-off was a targeted unwinding of leveraged positions in tech and semiconductors, accelerated by broker-dealer risk management and shifts in the AI narrative, including new competition from Chinese memory chipmakers. The retreat path was clear: from high-valuation tech stocks to cash and U.S. Treasuries, then to gold. For Bitcoin to attract sustained institutional inflows, conditions like eased global liquidity pressure, a "soft-landing" Fed rate cut, and U.S. regulatory clarity via legislation like the stalled CLARITY Act are needed. Currently, Bitcoin is not a safe haven but an already-cleared asset. Its low correlation with tech stocks, however, makes it a potential diversification play for institutional portfolios once the storm passes. The money isn't here yet, but the positioning is underway.

marsbitHá 13m

Stocks Are Plummeting More Sharply Than Cryptocurrencies. Where Has the Money Gone?

marsbitHá 13m

In Conversation with Ray Dalio: We Are Currently in an AI Bubble, with 1% of My Portfolio in Bitcoin

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns in an interview that the current AI boom shows classic bubble characteristics, which could lead to significant economic downturns as seen in past cycles like 1929 or 2000. He explains that speculative enthusiasm, fueled by debt and overvaluation, often precedes a crash when rising rates or taxation force asset sales, causing widespread losses and recession. Dalio also outlines his "Big Cycle" theory, describing an approximate 80-year pattern where widening wealth gaps, massive government deficits, and shifting geopolitical power (like China's rise) create internal conflict and global instability. He emphasizes that we are in a late-cycle, transitional phase where traditional powers like the US and UK face decline. For personal wealth protection, Dalio advises diversification beyond cash into assets like stocks, bonds, real estate, and particularly gold, which he prefers over Bitcoin. While he holds about 1% of his portfolio in Bitcoin as a non-printable hard asset, he views gold as more secure from technological or governmental threats. Regarding AI's impact, Dalio believes it will disproportionately benefit capital owners, worsening inequality by replacing both physical and cognitive labor. He suggests that human intuition and emotional intelligence, combined with AI, will be key for future workers. On taxation, Dalio argues that wealth taxes are impractical and risk triggering asset sell-offs, reducing productive investment. He points to the UK as a cautionary example of debt, low productivity, and political strife. Geopolitically, Dalio foresees a more regionalized world, with the US showing weakness in prolonged conflicts like with Iran, akin to past imperial declines. The ideal outcome, he suggests, is coexisting powerful blocs (e.g., Americas, China-Asia Pacific) without major war.

marsbitHá 4h

In Conversation with Ray Dalio: We Are Currently in an AI Bubble, with 1% of My Portfolio in Bitcoin

marsbitHá 4h

Daily 7.2 Trillion KRW: Foreign Capital's Record Net Buying on Friday! Wall Street Says Headwinds for Korean Stock Fund Flows Have Subsided

South Korean stock market sees a dramatic shift in fund flows. On July 31, foreign investors made a record net purchase of approximately KRW 7.2 trillion in KOSPI stocks, marking a fundamental reversal from the persistent large-scale net outflows seen in previous months. This contributed to a significant narrowing of foreign net selling in July to KRW 9.8 trillion, down sharply from KRW 48.4 trillion in June and KRW 44.5 trillion in May. Simultaneously, domestic institutional pressure eased. South Korean pension funds and asset managers turned to a net buying position in July, purchasing KRW 1.0 trillion worth of KOSPI shares, contrasting with net sales in May and June. Market volatility is expected to be dampened by new financial regulations. Effective July 31, the Financial Services Commission tightened access for retail investors to single-stock leveraged ETFs by raising the minimum cash deposit requirement. Trading volumes for these products subsequently dropped to about 50% of their monthly average. Citigroup Research maintains its year-end KOSPI target of 10,000 points. The firm cites several supportive factors: the substantial easing of headwinds from capital outflows, a robust fundamental outlook for the semiconductor sector, historically low market valuations, strong economic fundamentals, and the potential for policy support from financial authorities if needed.

marsbitHá 4h

Daily 7.2 Trillion KRW: Foreign Capital's Record Net Buying on Friday! Wall Street Says Headwinds for Korean Stock Fund Flows Have Subsided

marsbitHá 4h

Trading

Spot
活动图片