DOJ Offers $6 Million Bounty for Garantex Leaders in Crypto AML Crackdown

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a $6 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of leaders associated with Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange previously linked to over $96 billion in illicit transactions [1]. The bounty specifically targets Aleksandr Mira Serda, with a $5 million reward for details that could lead to his apprehension. This move underscores the DOJ’s ongoing efforts to address compliance failures and combat money laundering in the cryptocurrency sector [1].

Garantex, which once operated in Southeast Asia, has long been under investigation for enabling financial flows associated with fraud, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities [1]. The U.S. Treasury has already imposed sanctions on the exchange, including a $26 million asset freeze, to restrict its access to the U.S. financial system [1]. These measures are part of a broader regulatory push to ensure that crypto platforms comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) standards, similar to those applied to traditional financial institutions [1].

The DOJ’s decision to offer a substantial reward highlights the agency’s strategy of using financial incentives to gather intelligence on individuals who may otherwise remain hidden due to the pseudonymous and cross-border nature of cryptocurrency. The scale of the bounty reflects the DOJ’s recognition of the risks associated with digital assets and its prioritization of the crypto sector as a high-risk area for financial crime [1]. Such rewards have historically proven effective in traditional financial crime investigations, and the DOJ is now applying this approach to the crypto space, where enforcement has been complicated by jurisdictional and technological challenges [1].

The timing of the announcement is significant, as global regulators continue to intensify their scrutiny of crypto firms for AML lapses. In recent months, several major crypto companies have faced regulatory penalties for failing to implement adequate compliance measures. The DOJ’s action sends a clear message to the industry: noncompliance with U.S. financial regulations will not be tolerated and will result in criminal investigations and substantial rewards for those who provide critical information [1].

The case also underscores the growing importance of cryptocurrency in the global financial system. As digital assets gain in popularity and value, governments are increasingly concerned about their potential misuse. The DOJ’s actions reflect a broader regulatory consensus that crypto must be governed with the same rigor as traditional financial markets [1]. The success of the bounty program will depend on cooperation from individuals or entities with knowledge of Garantex’s operations. If the reward yields actionable intelligence, it could represent a major step forward in the DOJ’s efforts to hold crypto operators accountable.

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, crypto platforms that operate in legal gray areas may face increasing pressure from authorities. The Garantex case serves as a cautionary example for other exchanges: ignoring compliance risks is no longer a viable business strategy [1].

Source:

[1] GovInfoSecurity, “U.S. DOJ Offers $6 Million Bounty for Garantex Leaders Amid Ongoing Crypto Compliance Concerns,” 2025.

URL: https://www.govinfosecurity.com