What Is the Crypto Coalition?
When Santa Clara County prosecutor Erin West first learned about pig butchering scams, her immediate thought was victim recovery. As the prosecutor connected to the REACT high-tech task force, she recognized that her team’s expertise in blockchain investigations could play a pivotal role in tracking victim assets, seizing them, and returning them to their rightful owners. In December 2022, she proved just how possible that was when a judge authorized the return of over $1 million to eight scam victims.
West soon discovered that other agencies were tackling similar cases and reached out to like-minded partners including: Prosecutor Alona Katz from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Prosecutor Jon Scharf from the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, and Matt Hogan and Michael Grabowski from the Connecticut State Police.
Realizing the power of collaboration, they decided to pool their expertise, and the Crypto Coalition was born.
Today, the coalition is a network of more than 2,400 local, state, federal, and international partners. Together, they share best practices and participate in webinars that teach the ins and outs of cryptocurrency investigation and asset seizure, and enabling suspect identification and victim recovery using blockchain as an investigative tool.
The Crypto Coalition has become a thriving community of collaborators, demonstrating what’s possible when passionate professionals come together with a shared mission. It’s proof that teamwork really can change the game.
In January 2026, Operation Shamrock will host the 4rd Annual in-person conference for the Coalition in St. Louis, Missouri. The 2025 conference was attended by more than 180 investigators, prosecutors, and analysts from 25 states and three countries.
If you are law enforcement practicing in this area, please join this hard-working team. We would love to have you.