Home / Crime and Justice / FBI Nabs Suspect in Massive Crypto Heist
FBI Nabs Suspect in Massive Crypto Heist
6 Mar
Summary
- Alleged $46 million crypto thief arrested on Saint Martin.
- Suspect linked to US government's crypto holdings.
- Investigation by ZachXBT led to the arrest.
John Daghita was apprehended on the island of Saint Martin by French law enforcement, with assistance from the FBI. He is accused of stealing $46 million from the U.S. government's cryptocurrency holdings in 2024. FBI Director Kash Patel affirmed the agency's commitment to working with international partners to apprehend those who defraud American taxpayers.
The investigation into Daghita's alleged involvement began earlier this year when blockchain analyst ZachXBT linked him to the theft from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). A Telegram account connected to Daghita had revealed control over a blockchain address associated with the stolen funds, as Daghita reportedly engaged in a public dispute over crypto amounts.
ZachXBT celebrated the arrest, crediting his investigation for the outcome. While most of the stolen funds were reportedly returned within 24 hours of the theft, the case underscores a trend of inside jobs and security vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency management.
Separately, the U.S. continues to build its strategic bitcoin reserve, established by executive order last year. This initiative, along with similar efforts by states like Arizona and Texas, signifies a shift from previous practices of selling seized crypto assets. The U.S. remains the largest known national holder of bitcoin due to law enforcement seizures.
