U.S. Funds Brazilian Prosecutor's Trip to Strengthen Crypto Enforcement Ties

The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) is funding the travel expenses of a Brazilian prosecutor attending a regional cryptocurrency enforcement conference in Panama City, signaling growing cooperation between the two nations in combating digital asset-related crimes. The IV Meeting of the Western Hemisphere Cryptocurrency Working Group, scheduled for September 23–25, 2025, will be attended by Tiago Misael de Jesus Martins, a federal prosecutor from Brazil. All travel-related costs, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and internal transfers, are being covered by the U.S. government [2]. The Brazilian Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office granted official leave for the trip, and the Brazilian Public Ministry will subsidize half a day of international allowance as an additional cost [2].

This collaboration underscores the increasing complexity of cryptocurrency enforcement and the need for cross-border intelligence sharing and regulatory alignment. The U.S. funding is a reflection of broader efforts to strengthen joint initiatives in the Americas against financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies. As digital assets gain mainstream traction, illicit activities such as money laundering and Ponzi schemes have also proliferated, making international coordination essential [2].

The partnership between the U.S. and Brazil is not limited to this single event. Recent developments in Brazil indicate a growing regulatory focus on cryptocurrency-related crimes. The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) has ruled on cases involving money laundering through crypto investments, establishing jurisdiction for state courts where federal interests are not involved [2]. Additionally, Brazil’s regulatory landscape is evolving, with new measures such as a 0.1% transaction tax on crypto exchanges for transactions exceeding BRL 30,000 (approximately USD 6,000) being introduced to enhance oversight and generate revenue [1].

The IV Meeting is expected to bring together law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and crypto experts from across the Americas. The event will serve as a platform for exchanging intelligence, sharing best practices, and aligning regulatory strategies to address the fast-evolving challenges of the crypto industry. Brazil’s participation, backed by U.S. support, reflects its growing role in shaping regional enforcement frameworks and responding to the global threat posed by illegal crypto networks [2].

This cooperation is particularly timely, as the U.S. and other countries have seen a surge in cryptocurrency-related fraud. For example, U.S. authorities recently appealed a lenient sentence given to the co-founders of the $577 million HashFlare Ponzi scheme, arguing that the lack of severe consequences for such crimes could encourage further fraudulent activity [3]. In Brazil, a recent case highlighted the country’s increasing focus on prosecuting large-scale crypto scams, including a high-profile sentencing of leaders involved in a Ponzi scheme [2]. These cases emphasize the importance of consistent enforcement and cross-border collaboration to deter criminal actors in the crypto space.

The U.S.-funded trip and broader international cooperation reflect a strategic shift in addressing the global challenges of cryptocurrency crime. With digital assets increasingly used in illicit financial activities, the need for joint enforcement and regulatory alignment is more pressing than ever. The IV Meeting in Panama is a step toward strengthening these efforts, with Brazil playing a key role in the Americas’ collective response to crypto-related threats [2].

Source:

[1] Brazil's Cryptocurrency Crackdown Marks the End of a Free-Trading Era (https://intellectia.ai/news/crypto/brazils-crypto-crackdown-marks-the-end-of-a-free-trading-era)

[2] The US Will Pay for The Travel Expense of a Brazilian Prosecutor Crypto Event (https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/the-us-will-pay-for-the-travel-expense-of-a-brazilian-prosecutor-crypto-event/)

[3] US Appeals Time Served Sentences for HashFlare Ponzi Scheme Co-Founders (https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-appeals-sentences-hashflare-cofounders)