The U.S. government is dusting off an 18th-century law that could let former President Donald Trump—or any future administration—deputize private citizens to hunt down crypto scammers. Yeah, you read that right. The proposal is part of a broader push to crack down on digital asset fraud, but it’s raising eyebrows for its unconventional approach.
The law in question? The All Writs Act of 1789. Originally designed to give courts flexibility in issuing orders, it’s now being eyed as a tool to empower private individuals to assist in tracking down crypto criminals. The idea isn’t entirely new—similar tactics have been used in other financial crime cases—but applying it to the wild west of crypto is a bold move.
Proponents argue that with crypto scams on the rise, traditional law enforcement is stretched thin. By deputizing private citizens, the government could tap into a wider network of tech-savvy individuals who understand blockchain forensics better than most federal agents. Think of it like a crypto bounty hunter program, but with legal backing.
Critics, however, are sounding the alarm. They warn that handing out quasi-law enforcement powers to private citizens could lead to abuse, especially if political figures like Trump are involved. There’s also the question of accountability—what happens if a deputized individual oversteps their bounds? The lack of clear guidelines is making some legal experts uneasy.
The proposal comes at a time when crypto fraud is costing Americans billions. From rug pulls to phishing schemes, scammers are getting more sophisticated, and regulators are scrambling to keep up. The SEC and CFTC have been ramping up enforcement, but the sheer volume of cases is overwhelming. That’s where private citizens might come in—if the government can figure out how to do it without creating a mess.
For now, the idea is still in the discussion phase, but it’s already sparking debate. Some see it as a creative solution to a modern problem, while others fear it’s a slippery slope toward vigilante justice. Either way, it’s a sign of how desperate regulators are getting in the fight against crypto crime.
If this proposal gains traction, we could see a new era of decentralized law enforcement—where everyday people, armed with blockchain tools and legal authority, take on the role of digital detectives. Whether that’s a good thing or a recipe for chaos remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: the crypto world just got a little more interesting.
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