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Fake trading bots, manipulated token prices, and $23 million in seized crypto underscore a sweeping DOJ crackdown on fraud and deceptive digital market practices.

DOJ Targets Gotbit in $23M Crypto Market Manipulation Crackdown

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed on March 27 that it is pursuing civil forfeiture of approximately $23 million in digital assets following a guilty plea from Gotbit Consulting LLC and its founder, Aleksei Andriunin. The DOJ’s move follows criminal proceedings where the Boston-based federal court accepted Gotbit’s admission of manipulating trading activity on behalf of cryptocurrency clients. The firm, which operates as a market maker in the digital asset sector, allegedly engaged in schemes to fabricate trading volumes, misleading investors about liquidity and demand.

As part of its resolution with the federal government, Gotbit agreed to surrender the crypto holdings linked to these activities. In its announcement, the DOJ stated:

The government seized USDT (tether) and USDC (circle) from un-hosted cryptocurrency wallets controlled by Gotbit Consulting LLC. Tether and circle are stablecoins, meaning their value is tied to the U.S. dollar.

The government claims the assets represent proceeds of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as property involved in unlawful transactions. These allegations are currently part of a civil forfeiture complaint and have not been adjudicated.

Andriunin, a 26-year-old dual citizen of Russia and Portugal, was arrested abroad in October 2024 and extradited to the U.S. in February 2025. Prosecutors said that between 2018 and 2024, Gotbit operated a wash trading scheme, using custom-built software and multiple accounts to simulate trading activity and manipulate token prices. Tokens such as Robo Inu and Saitama, which were among Gotbit’s clients, are now under separate investigation. As part of the plea deal, Gotbit agreed to shut down all operations and forfeit the $23 million. The DOJ stated: “Pursuant to the plea agreement with Andriunin, the government will recommend a sentence of up to two years in prison.”

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