Crypto Was Stolen: Complete Action Plan for 2026

The Scope of the Problem

According to Chainalysis, more than $2.17 billion was stolen from crypto platforms in just the first half of 2025 — already exceeding the full-year total for 2024. The FBI logged roughly 150,000 crypto-related complaints from US residents, with total American losses surpassing $10 billion in 2024 alone. By the way, one of the most popular crypto scams in the U.S is an AI-powered one. Read more about real examples in our article.

Behind every data point is a real person who lost their savings, retirement funds, or business capital. That's why we decided to break down what you should do if your crypto was stolen.

The First 24 Hours: What to Do Right Now

Step 1. Stop All Transactions

You should stop sending crypto immediately. Not even the scammers tell you it will "unlock" your account, "cover withdrawal taxes," or "verify your identity" because that's a standard re-victimization tactic. Especially, attackers promise to refund your crypto — it's impossible because. Read more about blockchain's architecture in our explanation guide.

In addition, you must cut off all contact with the scammers right now.

Step 2. Document Everything — In Detail, Without Delay

As we mentioned earlier, time is working against you. Scammers move funds almost instantly, bouncing them across chains of wallets, converting them to Monero or another anonymous coin, or funneling them through overseas exchanges. The sooner you build your evidentiary record, the better the odds that investigators can trace something.

What papers should you collect in chronological order:

Step 3. Secure Your Remaining Assets

Change passwords on all exchanges, wallets, and linked email accounts. Use unique, complex passwords for each. Then set up two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere — preferably through an authenticator app (Google Authenticator or Authy) rather than SMS or calls.

If your device and seed phrase have been compromised, stop using them and create a new wallet to transfer all your funds there as soon as possible.

Transfer the remaining assets to a new wallet or into cold storage (a hardware wallet). Explore more security practices here.

Where to Report: Federal Agencies

FBI / IC3 — Your Top Priority

IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) is the official federal portal for submitting complaints. The FBI investigates federal cybercrime and is the lead agency for crypto fraud in the United States.

By 2025, the FBI had notified over 8,000 victims through this operation. The FBI can, in certain circumstances, freeze funds on exchanges — but only if you act fast.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC protects consumers from deceptive business practices, including crypto fraud. Complaints are used to identify fraud patterns and build enforcement cases against bad actors.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

This is a service regulating investment products. For example, you invest funds in a token or platform that turns out to be a scam. In this case, it would fall under SEC jurisdiction.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

Cryptocurrencies are classified as commodities under CFTC jurisdiction because the service works with derivatives markets and commodity assets. For example, if you became a victim of crypto futures, margin trading, or an unlicensed platform fraud, the CFTC is the relevant agency.

Local Law Enforcement

Many victims skip this step, assuming local police can't do anything about crypto fraud. That assumption is only partially correct.

An official police report is a legal document with a timestamp — it may be required for insurance claims, tax purposes, and civil litigation. Moreover, some jurisdictions have specialized cybercrime units that can act faster than federal agencies on locally contained cases. Finally, police can escalate your case to state or federal authorities with additional context attached.

Local departments rarely conduct independent investigations into cross-border crypto crimes, but their role in documentation is genuinely valuable. Bring all your records when you go.

The Biggest Danger: Crypto Recovery Scammers

In 2025, the FBI issued a specific public warning: once you become a crypto fraud victim, you're immediately a prime target for a second round of exploitation.

How the scheme works: Scammers purchase or steal victim lists from the original fraudsters. They then reach out — by email, phone, or social media — posing as "crypto recovery law firms," "government-authorized investigators," or "blockchain forensics specialists."

They claim they've located your funds and can retrieve them — but first you need to pay a "repatriation tax," "insurance bond," "legal processing fee," or "verification payment."

🚩 Red flags:

• They ask for any upfront payment, in any form
• They claim to operate under the authority of the FBI, SEC, or another federal agency. No US government agency authorizes private firms to act on its behalf in this way
• They guarantee fund recovery
• They ask for access to your accounts or devices
• They create artificial urgency: "You have 48 hours to act"

Keep in mind: no legitimate organization will ever ask a fraud victim to pay money up front in exchange for recovering stolen funds. If someone does, you're looking at a second scam.

Realistic Expectations

Be honest with yourself: the odds of full recovery are low. Blockchain transactions are irreversible by design. Most fraud operations are run from outside the United States — primarily Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa — which substantially limits what American law enforcement can do. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't act and try to get a refund.

This article is intended for US residents and non-residents affected by crypto fraud or wallet hacks. It provides information only and does not offer legal or financial advice. If you have experienced significant losses, consult a licensed attorney and a certified financial advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can stolen cryptocurrency be recovered?

In most cases, no — but not always. Realistically, over 90% of funds are never recovered in individual theft cases because blockchain transactions are irreversible. However, by the end of 2025, Chainalysis and its partners had assisted in the seizure and freezing of roughly $34 billion in cryptocurrency — proof that recovery happens, even if it remains the exception rather than the rule.

Can the FBI actually get my crypto back?

The FBI cannot promise to recover your crypto, but it does have useful tools. These include blockchain analytics, the power to freeze assets through the courts, access to exchange data, and partnerships with law enforcement in other countries.

Can stolen cryptocurrency be traced?

Yes, in most cases, because every transaction is recorded forever on a public blockchain. If you find your wallet empty or your exchange account hacked, time is your main enemy.