Federal Crackdown on Darknet Bitcoin Mixer Helix Yields $400M Asset Recovery

The U.S. government has recovered over $400 million in assets—including bitcoin, cash, and real estate—following a major enforcement action against Helix, a notorious darknet bitcoin mixing service. The seizure marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against illegal financial infrastructure operating on the darknet, according to case records and law enforcement sources.

The Helix Darknet Operation

Between 2014 and 2017, Helix processed approximately 354,000 bitcoin while operating as a key money laundering tool for darknet markets. The service primarily catered to illicit drug trafficking operations, enabling criminals to obscure transaction trails and move illegal proceeds across blockchain networks. Larry Dean Harmon, the operator behind the darknet mixing service, was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to prison.

Dismantling Criminal Infrastructure

As part of his conviction, Harmon was ordered to forfeit all assets connected to the darknet operation. The $400 million recovery represents one of the largest seizures targeting darknet financial infrastructure. Following his incarceration, Harmon has indicated intentions to pursue legitimate business ventures, marking a pivot away from the illegal activities that sustained the Helix darknet platform.

This enforcement action underscores the U.S. government’s intensified focus on shutting down darknet services that facilitate money laundering and other financial crimes tied to drug trafficking and organized crime networks.