The U.S. government has officially acquired over $400 million in assets linked to Helix, a prominent bitcoin mixing service that operated on the darknet. This significant development comes after a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a final forfeiture order on January 21, transferring ownership of the seized assets following the conviction of Larry Dean Harmon, the operator of Helix.
The forfeiture encompasses a variety of assets, including thousands of bitcoins, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, and an Ohio mansion purchased at the height of Helix’s operations. This cryptocurrency mixer served a critical role by obscuring the origins and destinations of bitcoin transactions, making it an essential tool for users engaged in illicit activities.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Helix was tailored for darknet drug markets, integrating directly with their withdrawal systems through an application programming interface. Court documents reveal that Helix processed around 354,468 bitcoins between 2014 and 2017, an amount worth approximately $300 million at that time. Investigators traced tens of millions of dollars back to major darknet marketplaces that utilized the service, with Harmon collecting operating fees from each transaction.
In a plea deal, Harmon admitted to conspiracy to commit money laundering in August 2021. After facing numerous delays, he was sentenced in November 2024 to three years in prison, followed by a period of supervised release. As part of his sentencing, Harmon was also mandated to forfeit seized assets and pay a money judgment as part of the forfeiture process.
The seizure included a 4,099-square-foot house located in Akron, Ohio, which Harmon and his wife purchased for $680,000 in 2016. Current estimates suggest the property’s value ranges from $780,000 to $950,000. The mansion, featuring multiple fireplaces, a backyard fire pit, and a whirlpool tub, is set to be auctioned off by the Internal Revenue Service.
Alongside the real estate, prosecutors have reportedly seized more than $325,000 in cash and approximately 4,500 bitcoins, which are now valued at around $355 million based on current market prices.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the case’s implications, stating it demonstrates that the darknet is not a safe haven for criminal enterprises. She assured that law enforcement will persist in combating cyber-enabled financial crimes.
After serving part of his sentence, Harmon was released from prison in December 2025 under an early release program following successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program. In a bid to move forward, Harmon has expressed intentions to launch a legitimate bitcoin education business and is actively seeking new housing in light of the forfeiture.
