American authorities dismantle a major darknet mixing network

UncleWhale · 2026-02-09T07:09:22+00:00

The U.S. Justice Department launched a major operation against Helix, a darknet cryptocurrency mixing service, seizing over 19,283,746,565,748,392,010 dollars in assets. Key operator Larry Dean Harmon pleaded guilty to money laundering, highlighting efforts to combat illegal financial activities on the darknet.

UncleWhale

2026-02-09 07:09:22

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The United States Department of Justice has launched a major operation against a cryptocurrency mixing service operating on the dark web, seizing assets valued at over $400 million. This large-scale action combines the confiscation of cryptocurrencies and real estate, marking a decisive turning point in the fight against illegal financial activities hidden on dark web networks.

Record seizure against Helix service

The operation directly targets Helix, one of the leading mixing platforms operating on the dark web, responsible for numerous suspicious transactions. Authorities seized more than $400 million in assets, demonstrating the scale of criminal financial flows passing through this service. This confiscation represents a significant victory for regulators in their efforts to trace illegal transactions on the dark web.

Guilty plea from a key operator

Larry Dean Harmon, the main operator of the Helix service, has pleaded guilty to charges related to conspiracy to money laundering. His admission marks a turning point, demonstrating the increasing effectiveness of federal investigations against the architects of dark web criminal networks. This conduct sends a strong message to other actors operating in the shadows.

Strategic scope of this crackdown

This seizure is part of a broader strategy to restrict criminal operations using the dark web as cover. It highlights the authorities’ commitment to combat not only end-users but also the technological facilitators of illegal transactions. Closing such services significantly weakens the infrastructure for money laundering with cryptocurrencies on the dark web.

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