Trump calls on private sector to hack foreign networks behind crypto scams

Donald Trump opens the door to a new form of response against foreign criminal networks. In a memo signed on August 12, 2026, the American president authorizes certain licensed private companies to participate in cyber operations under federal supervision. Crypto scam networks are among the targets, but the precise rules of these interventions are still to be written.

In brief

Washington wants to go beyond freezing funds

American authorities already have several tools to pursue crypto scam networks. They can seize domains, block assets, or trace laundering circuits. The freezing of over 700 million dollars linked to a Chinese network is a recent illustration.

The memo signed by Donald Trump goes further. It now allows selected American companies chosen by the State to take part in certain operations conducted directly against the infrastructures used by these criminal networks. So it is no longer just about following the money or seizing funds afterward.