BlockFi Settles $35 Million Crypto Asset Dispute With DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice and BlockFi's bankruptcy administrator have reached a settlement to dismiss a lawsuit involving a disputed transfer of $35 million in crypto assets. The agreement was approved by Judge Michael B. Kaplan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on Friday. The dismissal is with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled.

The original lawsuit, filed in May 2023, sought to transfer over $35 million in crypto assets from BlockFi to the U.S. government. The DOJ claimed it held valid warrants to seize funds from BlockFi accounts belonging to two Estonian citizens charged in a criminal fraud case unrelated to BlockFi's bankruptcy. The dispute arose when DOJ attorneys argued that the bankruptcy court lacked jurisdiction to prevent the asset transfer during BlockFi's Chapter 11 proceedings.

Under the settlement terms, each party will bear its own legal fees and costs. Mohsin Meghji, Plan Administrator for BlockFi's wind-down estates, represented the crypto lender. The DOJ was represented by senior trial counsel Seth B. Shapiro and his team from the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch.

The resolution removes a significant legal obstacle in BlockFi's ongoing bankruptcy wind-down process. This settlement allows BlockFi to focus on distributing funds to over 10,000 creditors without further legal complications from asset seizure disputes. The crypto lender owes approximately $10 billion to more than 100,000 creditors, including major debts to Three Arrows Capital and other institutional entities.

BlockFi has made progress resolving other claims tied to its bankruptcy. In March 2024, the company reached an $875 million settlement with FTX and Alameda Research estates, resolving about $1 billion in claims. CEO Zac Prince testified that FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's actions directly caused BlockFi's downfall. The bankruptcy court approved BlockFi's Chapter 11 plan in September 2023, enabling the firm to begin repaying creditors.

The case highlights jurisdictional complexities when federal criminal investigations intersect with bankruptcy proceedings. As we reported, Connecticut recently passed comprehensive legislation banning state government cryptocurrency operations, demonstrating continued regulatory uncertainty at various levels of government. BlockFi partnered with Coinbase in May 2024 to facilitate customer withdrawals, with an April 28, 2024 deadline for eligible users to reclaim their crypto holdings.

The settlement occurs amid broader changes in federal crypto enforcement priorities. The agreement follows recent DOJ policy shifts that narrow crypto prosecutions to cases involving fraud or terrorism rather than regulatory violations. The department disbanded its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team in April 2025, moving toward a more targeted approach.

Industry observers note the settlement may establish precedents for future asset seizure disputes involving crypto platforms in bankruptcy. The case demonstrates how criminal investigations unrelated to bankruptcy can complicate Chapter 11 proceedings when digital assets are involved. Legal experts suggest clear jurisdictional frameworks are needed to balance federal enforcement priorities with orderly bankruptcy wind-downs.

The BlockFi resolution reflects evolving regulatory approaches toward crypto bankruptcies following high-profile collapses in 2022. Traditional financial institutions increasingly view crypto integration as inevitable, while regulators seek balanced oversight that protects consumers without stifling innovation. The settlement enables BlockFi to complete its wind-down while providing clarity for similar future disputes between federal agencies and bankruptcy estates involving digital assets.