US Congress Revives 18th-Century Law to Fight Global Crypto Hackers - Coinedict

In a bold move to tackle rising crypto-related cybercrime, US lawmakers are dusting off an old legal tool from the 18th century — letters of marque and reprisal.

Representative David Schweikert has introduced a new bill (H.R. 4988) in the House of Representatives that would give the president authority to authorize private citizens or companies to act on behalf of the US against foreign crypto criminals.

Traditionally, letters of marque empowered private ships — or “privateers” — to attack and capture enemy vessels during wartime. Schweikert’s proposal brings that concept into the digital era, allowing “cyber privateers” to disrupt foreign hacking groups, recover stolen assets, and even detain individuals linked to crypto fraud and state-sponsored cybercrime.

Rising Hacks Trigger New Action

The proposal follows a string of major crypto heists in 2025, including the $1.5 billion Bybit hack in February and attacks on platforms like India’s CoinDCX. Groups such as North Korea’s Lazarus Group have been blamed for many of these breaches, which law enforcement has struggled to counter.

“Our current tools are not keeping pace with events. This bill allows us to fight these criminals effectively, hold them accountable, and recover damages on the digital battlefield,” said Schweikert.

What’s Next?

The bill is under review by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and will need approval from both chambers before reaching the president’s desk. If passed, it could create a groundbreaking framework for US involvement in combating cross-border crypto crime, effectively turning private actors into government-backed crypto rangers.