US Senator blasts AG pick for ‘dismantling’ crypto unit, Trump’s CZ pardon

A Cointelegraph report says Senator Dick Durbin sharply criticized Trump’s Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche over the Justice Department’s weakening of crypto enforcement, including the reported disbanding of the DoJ’s crypto unit in 2025. Durbin argued the move helped create an environment that benefited Trump and his crypto-linked business interests, while also tying the issue to the pardon of former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ). Blanche has defended a more permissive stance toward blockchain developers who are not directly involved in illicit activity, signaling a potential shift away from aggressive prosecution. The hearing highlights rising political scrutiny around crypto regulation, DOJ enforcement priorities, and possible implications for industry risk. Markets may view the developments as mildly bullish for crypto assets if they suggest a softer U.S. enforcement posture, though broader regulatory uncertainty remains.