Canada’s RCMP seized more than 56 million Canadian dollars in cryptocurrency linked to the exchange Tradeogre, marking what the force called the largest digital-asset recovery in the country and the first dismantling of a crypto trading platform by Canadian law enforcement.
RCMP Leverages OP_RETURN Messaging to Reveal Seizure
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) its Federal Policing – Eastern Region unit conducted the operation after the Money Laundering Investigative Team opened a file in June 2024 following a Europol tip. Investigators concluded the platform contravened Canadian laws and regulations, including failing to register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada as a money services business and not identifying clients.
The investigation remains active, and charges may follow, according to the press release. The early details of the wallet activity and seizure were by and journalist on Sept. 16, 2025. Authorities said an estimated sum exceeding C$56 million was recovered from Tradeogre. Investigators also said they believe most funds transacted on the platform came from criminal sources, citing the appeal of services that do not require customer identification to obscure the origin of money.
The RCMP said transaction data obtained from the platform will be analyzed as part of ongoing work. The case drew added attention because an onchain message was used to signal control over assets. An OP_RETURN inscription on the specific transaction stated: “Crypto assets controlled by the RCMP Cryptoactifs contrls par la GRC,” a bilingual declaration invoking the force’s French name.
The seizure is part of broader efforts by Canadian authorities to address crypto-enabled crime and money laundering. The has, in recent years, detailed initiatives to strengthen digital-asset investigations and custody, while coordinating with domestic and international partners. The Tradeogre matter represents an escalation in enforcement by directly targeting a platform authorities say operated outside national requirements.
The RCMP described the action as a record-setting seizure and the first time a cryptocurrency exchange platform has been dismantled by Canadian police. The force said more information could be released as the investigation develops and that the recovered transaction data would inform potential charges. No defendants or specific charges were identified.
The RCMP release did not specify which other assets were recovered, nor the number of transactions or wallets involved, beyond stating that investigators will analyze the data. The OP_RETURN message stemmed from the blockchain, but other crypto assets were reportedly seized. Authorities did not provide a timeline for potential proceedings. Canadians with information related to the platform or the recovered funds can contact local policing offices.
Author: Jamie Redman
Source: Bitcoin
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
