U.S. Seizes $61M USDT Linked to 'Pig Butchering' Scam
U.S. authorities in North Carolina seized $61 million in USDT connected to a pig‑butchering crypto scam, marking another major enforcement action against large‑scale investment fraud. Officials say the operation demonstrates how forensic blockchain analysis combined with traditional investigative work can follow and freeze stablecoin transactions that scammers use to move proceeds.
The seizure is significant because stablecoins like USDT are central to how many fraud networks launder funds, so disrupting those flows raises the bar for illicit operators. At the same time investigators warn that AI‑driven impersonation and social‑engineering techniques are on the rise, which could make spotting victims and attributing actors harder even as tracing tools improve. The outcome will be watched by victims, exchanges, and regulators for clues about restitution prospects and future compliance expectations.