Guernsey Seizes $11.4M in OneCoin Assets

Guernsey authorities seized $11.4 million in assets tied to the OneCoin scam. This action involved fiat bank accounts and property linked to OneCoin promoters, highlighting ongoing efforts to recover fraud-related proceeds from the defunct scheme.

Guernsey authorities announced the seizure of $11.4 million in assets tied to the infamous OneCoin scam on January 20, 2026. The assets comprised primarily of fiat bank holdings and property.

The seizure highlights continued efforts to recover funds from the OneCoin Ponzi scheme, demonstrating international collaboration in tackling financial crimes globally. The Guernsey Financial Services Commission and police, coordinated through the Organized Crime Reducing Task Force, took action on January 20. Ruja Ignatova, the founder, and her brother Konstantin Ignatov, are among the figures linked. Guernsey authorities targeted legacy proceeds from 2014-2019 sales, emphasizing no blockchain assets were involved.

The seizure’s immediate effects are limited as OneCoin’s ONE tokens were not publicly exchanged. The financial impact is confined to the recovery of fiat assets. Historically, OneCoin managed to avoid cryptocurrency exchanges due to its Ponzi classification. Additionally, there are no signs of distress within the broader cryptocurrency market following this recovery. Experts note that this embodies a localized move, with no extended market reverberations anticipated.

Potential outcomes could involve further regulatory scrutiny and enhanced international cooperation. Past precedents, such as the 2019 DOJ action and 2022 Bulgaria seizure, have shown the gradual but consistent approach to unraveling the scheme’s financial exploits. These ongoing efforts underline the importance of vigilance and collaborative efforts in curbing financial crime.