<h2 id="header-0">Key Takeaways</h2>
<p>Arizona Congressman David Schweikert has proposed a bill that would authorize cyber “privateers” to pursue digital criminals.</p>
<p>The measure revives the historic idea of “letters of marque,” granting licensed private actors the power to seize stolen assets and take action against hackers.</p>
<p>This push comes as US agencies continue to confiscate millions in illicit crypto and build a federal reserve of digital assets.</p>
<h3 id="a-modern-spin-on-an-old-idea">A Modern Spin on an Old Idea</h3>
<p>The United States may be preparing for a radical shift in how it fights online crime. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona recently introduced the <strong>Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorisation Act</strong>, a proposal to bring back a centuries-old concept — but applied to the digital era.</p>
<p>If enacted, the legislation would allow the president to issue <strong>letters of marque</strong> to approved individuals or firms, effectively deputizing them to hunt down cybercriminals. These authorized actors could seize cryptocurrencies, disrupt operations, and even arrest perpetrators involved in crypto theft, ransomware schemes, identity fraud, and data breaches.</p>
<p>Supporters argue the US lacks adequate tools to fight increasingly sophisticated cybercrime networks. Detractors warn that outsourcing enforcement to private actors could open the door to legal, ethical, and international complications.</p>
<h3 id="defining-cybercrime-as-a-security-threat">Defining Cybercrime as a Security Threat</h3>
<p>The bill treats cybercrime as an “act of war,” elevating it to the same level as traditional national security challenges. Crimes covered include crypto theft, ransomware, pig-butchering scams, stolen credentials trafficking, and unauthorized data access.</p>
<p>Schweikert emphasized that organized cyber gangs — often supported by foreign states — represent a direct danger to America’s economy and security. He argues that reviving letters of marque could shift the US approach from reactive defense to proactive offense.</p>
<h3 id="the-scale-of-the-problem">The Scale of the Problem</h3>
<p>The timing underscores the urgency. In 2023 alone, Americans lost <strong>$16.6 billion</strong> to online scams, the highest loss ever recorded in 25 years. By mid-2024, cybercriminals had already stolen more than <strong>$3 billion in digital assets</strong>, with $142 million lost in July alone.</p>
<p>The Department of Justice (DOJ) has escalated its efforts, recently seizing:</p>
<ul>
 <li>$2.8 million linked to Zeppelin ransomware operator Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko</li>
 <li>$2.3 million in Bitcoin from Chaos ransomware</li>
 <li>$1 million from the BlackSuit ransomware syndicate</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="building-a-federal-crypto-reserve">Building a Federal Crypto Reserve</h3>
<p>In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a <strong>national Bitcoin and crypto reserve</strong>. Assets can only be added through budget-neutral means, such as confiscations from criminal activity.</p>
<p>Since 2020, the DOJ’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) has seized over <strong>$350 million in crypto</strong> and secured convictions in 180+ cases. These recovered assets are being redirected into the federal reserve, effectively transforming crime proceeds into state resources.</p>
<h3 id="human-rights-and-cybercrime">Human Rights and Cybercrime</h3>
<p>The bill also highlights the darker side of digital fraud — human trafficking. Reports from Myanmar and China show victims being forced into scam operations under brutal conditions. Lawmakers argue that tackling cybercrime is also a moral issue tied to global human rights.</p>
<h3 id="what-comes-next">What Comes Next</h3>
<p>If passed, the <strong>Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorisation Act</strong> would mark the first use of letters of marque in the modern era outside of naval warfare.</p>
<p>The outcome hinges on whether Congress views this as a bold step toward cyber defense or a legal minefield waiting to unfold. Its success will depend on balancing aggressive enforcement with accountability and oversight.</p>
<p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> Voice of Crypto strives to provide accurate, up-to-date reporting. However, we cannot guarantee complete accuracy. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile — conduct your own research before making financial decisions.</p>

Congress Pushes Law to Turn Hackers Into Crypto Bounty Hunters

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