The U.S. government clawed back $2.5 million in cryptocurrency tied to scams that exploited investors’ fear of missing out (FOMO) during market frenzies. These schemes lured people with promises of quick gains, only to disappear with their funds—classic "pump-and-dump" or fake investment ploys. Authorities are sending a clear message: they’re tracking crypto fraud, even if recovery is just a drop in the bucket compared to total losses.

Editor’s Note: Crypto scams are nothing new, but this recovery shows regulators are getting better at chasing digital footprints. For everyday investors, it’s a reminder that FOMO makes you vulnerable—if an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. While $2.5M isn’t huge in the grand scheme, it’s a win for accountability in a space that often feels like the Wild West.