The U.S. government has solidified its claim over more than $400 million in assets connected to the notorious darknet bitcoin mixing service Helix, according to an announcement made by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This extensive seizure includes cryptocurrency, real estate, and cash, all linked to a service that has drawn significant scrutiny from law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies.
Mixing services, including Helix, are designed to obscure the origins and destinations of cryptocurrency transactions, effectively pooling and redistributing funds to hide their trail. This practice has been particularly appealing to criminals, including drug traffickers, looking to launder illicit gains. The DOJ alleges that Helix was extensively utilized by such individuals to obscure the source of their profits.
Court documents reveal that Helix was one of the most popular mixing services on the darknet, primarily catering to online drug dealers. Investigators noted that it processed at least 354,468 bitcoin—approximately valued at $300 million at the time of the transactions—much of which was linked to drug sales on illicit marketplaces. Larry Dean Harmon, the operator of Helix, was reported to have profited from this activity by collecting commissions and fees for each transaction processed through the service.
Harmon, who also managed Grams, a darknet search engine that helped users locate major darknet markets, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in August 2021. In November 2024, he received a 36-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. His sentencing also included a forfeiture judgment and the confiscation of assets seized during the investigation.
The DOJ’s effort to dismantle cybercrime operations has been ongoing, with its Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) securing over 180 convictions since 2020. In that timeframe, the department has successfully returned more than $350 million to victims of cybercrime, reflecting a focused government initiative to combat illicit online activities and restore justice for those affected.
