The US Attorney's Office has charged the founder of Virtual Assets with large-scale money laundering.
Date: 2025-11-20 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: BUSINESS
According to the US Department of Justice, Virtual Assets operated a network called Crypto Dispensers, which included cryptocurrency ATMs and services for exchanging cash and checks for digital assets. Thirty-six-year-old Mustafa Aysa, who installed and maintained the devices across the country, oversaw these operations.
The investigation revealed that approximately $10 million passed through Crypto Dispensers. Law enforcement believes a significant portion of these funds may have been obtained through criminal activity, including wire fraud and drug trafficking. Prosecutors allege that Aysa knew of the possible illicit origin of the funds and nevertheless continued to accept them through his service.
Investigators allege that the businessman exchanged the cash he received for digital assets, which he then transferred to various cryptocurrency wallets. This scheme, according to the prosecution, allowed him to conceal the source of the funds. The Justice Department did not disclose which cryptocurrencies were used or through which providers the transfers were made.
Aysa and Virtual Assets deny the charges and intend to seek acquittal in court. A hearing is scheduled for January 30, 2026, in Chicago federal court before Judge Elaine Bucklow. If convicted, the businessman faces up to 20 years in prison.
Data from Coin ATM Radar adds context to the case: since the beginning of this year, 360 new crypto ATMs have appeared in the US, bringing the total number to over 31,000. Meanwhile, US law enforcement continues to crack down on illegal operators. Eighteen devices belonging to Coindawg LLC were previously seized, having been found to have been purchased with funds illegally obtained from the state.
The incident surrounding Virtual Assets highlights the growing regulatory focus on the digital asset exchange market and crypto ATMs, which are increasingly viewed as a potential tool for concealing illicit financial flows.
