Victims of BTC-e Crypto Forfeiture Have Only 60 Days from 7/4/2025 to File!
Since August 2017, when all cryptocurrency was seized from Alexander Vinnik’s BTC-e platform, innocent investors worldwide have struggled to file a claim to recover their property.
San Diego Defenders – Forfeiture Law Firm can help. Our firm is actively accepting cases with sufficient supporting documentation and information. Call us at (619) 258-8888 for a free, confidential consultation with Attorney Dan Smith, an experienced asset forfeiture attorney with 35 years in federal defense.
- Background of the BTC-e Crypto Forfeiture Case (25-CV-2085)
- New Developments in the BTC-e Crypto Forfeiture Case: Get Your Assets Back!
- Civil Forfeiture Action: What’s at Stake?
Background of the BTC-e Crypto Forfeiture Case (25-CV-2085)
What started as a Northern District of California criminal indictment of Alexander Vinnik (while he was in jail in Greece) and a parallel civil forfeiture against BTC-e, also known as Canton Business Corporation, concluded with a Russian prisoner exchange in February 2024.
As you may have heard in the news, Vinnik was swapped for Terry Fogel, a teacher jailed in Russia (after initially being passed over for WBNA’s Brittany Grimes). The criminal case against Vinnik was then dismissed.
The civil forfeiture case for violations of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, 31 USC § 5311–5314 and 5315–5332, commonly referred to as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), ended in a stipulation for FinCEN penalties of $110,003,314 against BTC-e and $12,000,000 against Vinnik.
New Developments in the BTC-e Crypto Forfeiture Case: Get Your Assets Back!
However, in June 2025, the United States filed a civil asset forfeiture case in the District Court of the District of Columbia against 925 bitcoins and approximately $89,683,590.51, as well as assorted millions in other currencies.
Notice of Forfeiture Action 25-CV-2085It has been 7 years, and the innocent investors from the United States and worldwide have been waiting!
There are many threads on Reddit from investors asking each other how to recover their currency.
Our firm has received calls from as far away as Argentina. Those individuals purchased BTC when it was only $100 per bitcoin, and they had not touched the investment since 2013. They purchased BTC when crypto wallets were not even the norm. And they had good documentation.
This author believes that many innocent owners, such as those mentioned here, share similar characteristics and are eligible to file a claim and/or petition.
Civil Forfeiture Action: What’s at Stake?
As of July 4, 2025, the Government has published a notice stating that a claim, a petition, or both may be filed to recover currency. The case is called “U.S. v. All Virtual Currency Held in the BTC-E Operating Wallets and other described assets further described herein,” case number 25-CV-2085 in the District Court for the District of Columbia.
Since this is a civil forfeiture action filed in the District Court, it is important to understand that the process to seek the return of your assets is much different from an “ancillary court proceeding” in a criminal forfeiture case. That is very different.
As stated above, you may file a claim with the Court, a petition for remission or mitigation, or both.
A petition is an administrative relief decided on by a Government agency, whereas a claim is decided by the Court.
If you fail to file a claim within 60 days of the first day of publication (July 4th, 2025), you will waive your right to have a District Court or a Jury of your peers decide what you are entitled to and the potential appeal of a decision. The claim must be verified and filed with the Clerk of the Court, and you may be fined if you assert a frivolous claim.
A copy of the notice is available on www.forfeiture.gov. Click “I want to search for a specific public notice”, type “25-CV-2085” into the Court Case Number section, and click “search public notices”.
Call San Diego Defenders – Forfeiture Law Firm Today!
Speak to our reputable Forfeiture Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation at (619) 258-8888.
It has been at least seven years of waiting, but there’s no time to procrastinate! Act now, and we will fight for you.
