Cryptocurrency Fraud Defense Upper Marlboro, MD | Crypto Crime Attorney
Written by Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq.
Cryptocurrency may be digital, but the legal consequences are very real.
If you’re accused of crypto fraud in Upper Marlboro—whether it’s a fake ICO, wire fraud involving blockchain assets, or an alleged pump-and-dump scheme—you need a defense attorney who understands the evolving digital landscape and the law.
At Haskell & Dyer, we don’t just catch up to these cases.
We stay ahead of them.
What Is Considered Cryptocurrency Fraud?
Cryptocurrency fraud encompasses a wide range of alleged activities involving digital assets, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, and other blockchain-based technologies.
In Maryland and federal court, charges often include:
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Fake ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings)
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Pump-and-dump or rug-pull schemes
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Unregistered securities offerings
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Phishing or social engineering scams
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Money laundering with digital assets
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Ponzi or referral-based crypto schemes
Prosecutors are getting aggressive. They’re using tools to trace blockchain transactions, connect wallet addresses to real names, and build conspiracy cases out of ordinary online behavior.
What Happens if You’re Charged?
Once you’re on the government’s radar, here’s what to expect:
- You may receive a target letter or subpoena from the Department of Justice, IRS Criminal Investigation, or SEC.
- Your exchange activity, crypto wallets, and bank accounts may be reviewed or frozen.
- You could face wire fraud, securities fraud, or money laundering charges—even if your token weren’t meant to be a scam.
These cases are complicated, but that also means there are multiple ways to fight back.
How I Defend Crypto Crime Cases
Unlike typical fraud allegations, crypto charges involve both financial law and digital forensics. I build each case around:
- Intent: Many blockchain projects fail without criminal intent. We highlight technical failure, not fraud.
- Jurisdiction: I challenge whether the state or federal government even has standing over decentralized projects.
- Chain of Custody: Blockchain transactions aren’t always linked to individuals. I demand proof beyond just wallet addresses.
- Expert Review: I collaborate with crypto forensic specialists and developers to analyze and break down the prosecution’s technical evidence.
Layer 1 Blockchains (Base Layer Protocols)
These are standalone blockchains that do not rely on any other chain:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Pulsechain (PLS)
- BNB Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain)
- Solana (SOL)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Avalanche (AVAX)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Near Protocol (NEAR)
- Algorand (ALGO)
- Tezos (XTZ)
- Internet Computer (ICP)
- Kaspa (KAS)
- Toncoin (TON)
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR)
🧠 Smart Contract Platforms
Built for dApps, DeFi, and NFT ecosystems:
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Solana (SOL)
- Avalanche C-Chain
- Fantom (FTM)
- Harmony (ONE)
- Celo
- Klaytn
- Moonbeam (on Polkadot)
- Arbitrum One (Layer 2 on Ethereum)
- Optimism (Layer 2 on Ethereum)
🌉 Layer 2 Solutions
These scale Layer 1 chains by handling transactions off-chain:
- Polygon (MATIC) (on Ethereum)
- Arbitrum
- Optimism
- Base (by Coinbase)
- zkSync Era
- Starknet
- Loopring
- Immutable X
🔄 Interoperable & Multi-Chain Networks
Built to connect other blockchains:
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Cosmos (ATOM)
- Axelar
- Chainlink CCIP
- Wormhole
- LayerZero
- Quant (QNT)
🏦 Enterprise-Focused or Private Blockchains
Used in corporate and government environments:
- Hyperledger Fabric
- Quorum (by JPMorgan)
- R3 Corda
- Ripple (XRP Ledger)
- Stellar (XLM)
🧱 Proof-of-Stake / Energy-Efficient Blockchains
Known for speed and sustainability:
- Cardano
- Algorand
- Tezos
- Solana
- Near Protocol
- Hedera Hashgraph
🪙 Payment-Focused Blockchains & Stablecoin Platforms
Focused on speed, scalability, and payments:
- Bitcoin
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Dash
- Ripple (XRP)
- Stellar (XLM)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Terra Classic (LUNA Classic) (pre-crash)
🔥 Emerging or Specialized Chains
Newer blockchains or those with niche use cases:
- Sui
- Aptos
- PulseChain
- Radix (XRD)
- Zilliqa (ZIL)
- Velas
- Everscale
- IoTeX
- Kadena (KDA)
You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Powerless
These cases are new, but the stakes are high: prison time, asset seizure, and career destruction.
But crypto law is still developing. That means we have room to argue, to challenge the government’s assumptions, and to tell your side of the story.
Why Haskell & Dyer?
- Deep knowledge of financial and white collar criminal law
- Experience defending tech-forward, high-stakes cases
- Strong relationships with digital forensics experts
- Clear, strategic defense—backed by courtroom results
“Crypto cases often move faster than the law itself. My job is to make sure you’re not punished for innovation—or accused without proof.”
— Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq.
Book a Confidential Consultation Today
Whether you’ve already been charged or just received a letter from investigators, now is the time to act. We defend your freedom and your digital reputation—before the government takes them both.
👉 Book your consultation online now or call us directly at 301-627-5844.
