Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche faced tough questioning Wednesday during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Ranking Democrat Senator Dick Durbin criticized Blanche for what he called “dismantling the DOJ’s crypto enforcement team and shutting down ongoing criminal investigations.” Blanche reportedly ordered the disbanding of the Justice Department’s crypto enforcement unit in April 2025.
Senator Durbin accused former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao of brokering a deal that led to a presidential pardon, linking it to crypto industry ties. He stated, “Every smarmy, suspect deal in this administration has cryptocurrency behind the curtain.”
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also expressed concern about the pardon for the former Binance executive. Blanche promised to review the pardon process if confirmed.
The hearing highlighted the administration’s shift in crypto policy. Blanche, who previously held crypto-related investments, has signaled the DOJ will not pursue cases against blockchain developers not directly involved in illicit activity.
However, federal prosecutors are still expected to retry Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm later this year after a previous jury deadlock.