TLDR
- The U.S. government has seized over $400 million in assets connected to the Helix bitcoin mixer.
- The assets include thousands of bitcoins, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, and a mansion in Ohio.
- Helix was used by darknet drug markets to launder funds and conceal financial transactions.
- Larry Dean Harmon, the operator of Helix, was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- The seized bitcoin is now worth approximately $355 million at current market prices.
The U.S. government has seized over $400 million in assets, including cryptocurrency, cash, and real estate linked to Helix, a prominent Bitcoin mixing service on the darknet. This action follows the conviction of Helix operator Larry Dean Harmon, who was sentenced in November 2024. The assets include thousands of Bitcoin, substantial amounts of cash, and a mansion in Ohio tied to the service’s operations.
Helix Mixer: A Key Tool for Darknet Transactions
Helix, a cryptocurrency mixer, obscured the origin and destination of bitcoin transactions. It was primarily used by darknet drug markets to launder funds and conceal financial activities. The service processed over 354,000 Bitcoin between 2014 and 2017, with a total value of around $300 million at the time.
Federal authorities connected tens of millions of dollars in illicit funds to Helix’s operations. Prosecutors claim that the service was closely integrated with darknet marketplaces, providing a mechanism for users to withdraw funds. Larry Dean Harmon, who operated both Helix and Grams, a darknet search engine, took a percentage of each transaction.
U.S. Government Seizes Over $325,000 in Cash and 4,500 Bitcoins
In addition to the bitcoin, the U.S. government seized more than $325,000 in cash. The assets also include approximately 4,500 Bitcoin, which are currently valued at about $355 million. These seized funds are part of a final forfeiture order entered by a federal judge on January 21, 2026.
The order marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings following Harmon’s guilty plea in August 2021 to conspiracy charges related to money laundering. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the forfeited assets would be sold at auction by the Internal Revenue Service. Harmon’s home, a 4,099-square-foot property in Akron, Ohio, will be among the assets sold.
Helix Operator’s Sentence and Future Plans
Larry Dean Harmon was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering charges. However, Harmon was released in December 2025 under an early release program due to his completion of a drug rehabilitation program. Upon release, Harmon expressed intentions to start a legitimate bitcoin education business and find new housing following the forfeiture of his assets.
This case highlights the U.S. government’s continued efforts to crack down on illegal financial activities conducted through the darknet. With the forfeiture of significant assets, authorities send a strong message that cyber-enabled financial crimes will face serious consequences.
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