The UK government is rolling out the Crime and Policing Bill, a hefty new law designed to sharpen its claws on crypto-related crime. Packed with rules on valuing digital coins, courtroom cash grabs, and beefed-up powers for the Crown Court to slap seizure orders, it’s a big move to snatch back dirty money hiding in the blockchain.
This isn’t just about crypto—the bill’s got teeth for tackling anti-social antics, sex crimes, public chaos, and terrorism too. But the spotlight’s on reeling in criminal loot, especially when it’s stashed in cryptocurrency. The Crown Court’s getting a wider net, with the green light to handle money, crypto, and personal goodies tied to confiscation cases, per the proposal.
The crypto angle’s got some standout twists. Courts can now order seized digital assets torched—yep, destroyed—and peg their worth at the market rate when the hammer drops, tweaking for any value swings after. It’s a safeguard to keep the tally straight even if the coins go poof. Plus, Section 215ZA shakes things up, swapping out magistrates’ court mentions for “relevant court,” handing the Crown Court more juice to wrangle crypto in criminal busts.
It’s all about streamlining the chase—making it easier to nab, value, and claw back crypto tied to shady dealings. For the UK, it’s a loud signal: if you’re hiding ill-gotten gains in Bitcoin or beyond, they’re coming for it.
