Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
Finance
Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
U.S., UK, Canada start Operation Atlantic to
Finance
Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
U.S., UK, Canada start Operation Atlantic to
U.S., UK, Canada start Operation Atlantic to disrupt crypto approval-phishing scams
For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at crypto.news@mexc.com
U.S., UK, Canada start Operation Atlantic to disrupt crypto approval-phishing scams
International law enforcement effort targets approval-phishing schemes tied to crypto investment fraud.
By Olivier Acuna|Edited by Sheldon Reback
Mar 16, 2026, 12:50 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
U.S. Secret Service agents will monitor cryptocurrency fraud investigations during an operation targeting approval phishing scams. (U.S. Secret Service-Wikimedia Commons/Modified by CoinDesk)
What to know:
- Law enforcement agencies in the U.S., U.K. and Canada started Operation Atlantic to disrupt cryptocurrency fraud schemes known as approval-phishing attacks.
- These scams trick victims into granting wallet permissions via fake alerts or pop-ups, allowing criminals to seize control of crypto wallets and move funds in irreversible blockchain transactions.
- Building on earlier efforts such as Project Atlas and Operation Spincaster, authorities say the initiative will focus on real-time disruption of scams, victim warnings and guidance on securing compromised wallets and recovering stolen assets.
Law enforcement agencies from the U.S., U.K. and Canada started a joint initiative called Operation Atlantic aimed at disrupting cryptocurrency fraud schemes known as approval-phishing attacks, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) said Monday.
The scams work by prompting victims to approve malicious wallet permissions through fake alerts or pop-ups that appear to come from trusted apps or services, the OSC said. Once access is granted, criminals gain control of the wallet and can transfer funds. Because blockchain transactions cannot be reversed, recovery becomes difficult once assets leave a victim’s account.
Cryptocurrency scams generated at least $14 billion in onchain revenue in 2025, according to Chainalysis, with totals expected to climb toward $17 billion as more illicit wallets are identified. Much of the activity now relies on social engineering tactics, complex AI-generated content and phishing-as-a-service platforms to trick victims into granting wallet access or transferring funds.
“Approval phishing and investment scams cost victims millions in financial loss each year,” said Brent Daniels, deputy assistant director for the U.S. Secret Service’s Office of Field Operations, which is involved in the project.
The operation builds on Project Atlas, a 2024 initiative led by the Ontario Provincial Police's Cyber-Enabled Fraud Team to combat global crypto investment fraud. The project identified over 2,000 compromised wallets across 14 countries, disrupted roughly $70 million in potential fraud, and froze about $24 million in stolen crypto. Similar international efforts, such as Chainalysis’ Operation Spincaster, generated more than 7,000 investigative leads tied to roughly $162 million in losses, highlighting the scale of approval phishing schemes targeting crypto investors.
Authorities said the new operation will help warn potential victims and guide them on securing compromised wallets while attempting to trace and recover stolen funds.
“During Operation Atlantic, the Secret Service, alongside our international law enforcement partners, will identify and disrupt these scams in near real-time denying criminals the ability to further profit from their crimes,” Daniels said.
Secret ServiceLaw EnforcementPhishingcrypto scamsUSCanadaUK
More For You
Crypto wealth platform Abra to go public through $750 million SPAC deal
The transaction is expected to deliver as much as $300 million in cash, which will be used to expand the company's institutional crypto lending, yield and custody offerings.
What to know:
- Crypto wealth platform Abra said it plans to public on Nasdaq through a $750 million SPAC merger with New Providence to expand its services.
- The transaction is expected to deliver as much as $300 million in cash, which will be used to add to its institutional crypto lending, yield and custody offerings.
- Following settlements with U.S. regulators over past offerings, Abra shut down its retail operations and now exclusively serves institutional and high-net-worth clients.
Read full story
Latest Crypto News
CoinDesk 20 performance update: Ethereum (ETH) price jumps 8.8%, leading index higher
Crypto wealth platform Abra to go public through $750 million SPAC deal
Bitmine buys 60,999 ether as Tom Lee touts crypto strength amid Iran war
Metaplanet raises $255 million to accelerate bitcoin accumulation
Michael Saylor's Strategy made another huge buy of bitcoin, adding $1.57 billion worth last week
SEC drops lawsuit against BitClout’s Nader Al-Naji
Top Stories
Altcoins jump as bitcoin inches toward potential $74,000 breakout
Crypto trading firm BlockFills files for bankruptcy
Bitcoin's price trades above its 50-day average as bullish move gathers pace
Memecoins outpace bitcoin, ether as 'barbell strategy' wins out
South Korea fines Bithumb $24 million, orders 6-month partial suspension over money laundering violations
AI developers may not be keen on crypto, but stablecoins are the secret to agentic finance, crypto insiders say
Market Opportunity
Union Price(UNION)
$0.0005538
$0.0005538$0.0005538
USD
Union (UNION) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact crypto.news@mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.
You May Also Like
Why Most Crypto Press Releases Get Ignored — and What Editors Actually Read in 2026
Crypto editors receive hundreds of pitches a day and reject most within five seconds. Here's how the editor's desk works in 2026 and what founders need to change
Share
Cryptodaily2026/05/09 21:20
Sterling Weakens As Dollar Soars On Geopolitical Escalation And Bailey’s Cautious Stance
The post Sterling Weakens As Dollar Soars On Geopolitical Escalation And Bailey’s Cautious Stance appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. British Pound Plummets: Sterling
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/04/02 17:45
One Of Frank Sinatra’s Most Famous Albums Is Back In The Spotlight
The post One Of Frank Sinatra’s Most Famous Albums Is Back In The Spotlight appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Frank Sinatra’s The World We Knew returns to the Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums charts, showing continued demand for his timeless music. Frank Sinatra performs on his TV special Frank Sinatra: A Man and his Music Bettmann Archive These days on the Billboard charts, Frank Sinatra’s music can always be found on the jazz-specific rankings. While the art he created when he was still working was pop at the time, and later classified as traditional pop, there is no such list for the latter format in America, and so his throwback projects and cuts appear on jazz lists instead. It’s on those charts where Sinatra rebounds this week, and one of his popular projects returns not to one, but two tallies at the same time, helping him increase the total amount of real estate he owns at the moment. Frank Sinatra’s The World We Knew Returns Sinatra’s The World We Knew is a top performer again, if only on the jazz lists. That set rebounds to No. 15 on the Traditional Jazz Albums chart and comes in at No. 20 on the all-encompassing Jazz Albums ranking after not appearing on either roster just last frame. The World We Knew’s All-Time Highs The World We Knew returns close to its all-time peak on both of those rosters. Sinatra’s classic has peaked at No. 11 on the Traditional Jazz Albums chart, just missing out on becoming another top 10 for the crooner. The set climbed all the way to No. 15 on the Jazz Albums tally and has now spent just under two months on the rosters. Frank Sinatra’s Album With Classic Hits Sinatra released The World We Knew in the summer of 1967. The title track, which on the album is actually known as “The World We Knew (Over and…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 00:02
