Overview
Jason Weinstein conducts internal investigations and represents companies and individuals in high-profile criminal matters. With 15 years of experience in senior positions at the US Department of Justice (DOJ), he helps corporations and boards successfully navigate challenging government enforcement matters and defends individuals in criminal investigations and prosecutions. He is recognized across the United States as an authority on legal and regulatory issues involving digital currencies and blockchain technology. Jason serves as co-chair of Steptoe's White-Collar and Securities Enforcement and the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency practices.
Jason regularly directs internal investigations, tries complex cases, and represents clients in criminal investigations before the DOJ as well as other government agencies. As the former deputy assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, he oversaw the most significant organized crime, financial crime, cybercrime, and intellectual property theft investigations in America. Before joining the Criminal Division, Jason served for nearly 10 years as an assistant US attorney in the US Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of New York and the District of Maryland, where he investigated and prosecuted cases involving financial crimes, public corruption, racketeering, cybercrime, national security, narcotics, money laundering, immigration offenses, and violent crime. In the District of Maryland, where he served as Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division and as Chief of the Violent Crime Section, Jason prosecuted many of the highest-profile cases of the past decade in Baltimore. He brings this experience to bear in each client matter, many of which are extremely prominent. Among other recent matters, he represents Volkswagen in the criminal case arising from the diesel emissions controversy and led the independent investigation by the board of Pilot Flying J in response to allegations of fraudulent sales practices.
Jason is widely recognized for his command of the complex legal issues surrounding digital currencies and the blockchain. He is the director of the Blockchain Alliance, a public-private forum established by a broad coalition of companies and organizations to help combat criminal activity involving digital currencies and blockchain technology. He also sits on the strategic advisory board of BitFury, the leading full-service blockchain technology company and one of the largest private infrastructure providers in the industry, and serves on the advisory board of the Chamber of Digital Commerce and Coin Center.
- District of Columbia
- New York
- US District Court, District of Maryland
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1994, with honors, Managing Editor, The George Washington Law Review
- A.B., Princeton University, 1990
Areas of Practice
Representative Matters
White-Collar Criminal Defense/Internal Investigations
- Representing Volkswagen AG in diesel emissions criminal case.
- Led internal investigation for board of Pilot Flying J, one of the nation’s largest private companies, in response to criminal fraud investigation.
- Representing major financial institution in investigation of allegations of corruption by FIFA officials.
- Represented a technology company in DOJ investigation of alleged government contract fraud. The government declined to pursue charges.
- Represented technology company executive in wire fraud prosecution. The government agreed to dismiss all charges.
- Represented director of non-profit corporation in DOJ investigation relating to government contracts. The government reversed debarment decision.
- Represented official of prominent energy company in criminal investigation by DOJ. The government declined to pursue charges.
- Represented official of global financial institution in DOJ investigation of manipulation of foreign exchange market. The government declined to pursue charges.
- Representing former member of corporate board of directors in investigation of alleged money laundering and securities fraud.
- Representing prominent healthcare company in connection with criminal investigation.
- Representing current and former public officials in investigations by the DOJ, congressional committees, and Inspectors General.
- Representing multiple prominent attorneys in connection with investigations by the DOJ.
- Represented foreign government in connection with Internet gambling matter.
- Represented global entertainment company in connection with motion picture piracy investigation.
Financial Technologies
- Representing global digital currency exchange on legal and regulatory matters.
- Advising leading blockchain transaction processing firm, digital currency exchanges, and bank on legal and regulatory issues.
- Advising venture capital firms on legal and regulatory issues surrounding digital currency-related investments.
- Advising prominent retailers on legal and business issues involved in accepting bitcoin and other digital methods of payment.
- Advising leading early-stage bitcoin companies on legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
- Representing digital currency exchange and bitcoin ATM companies in criminal investigations by DOJ.
Speaking Engagements
- "The New Normal in Government Investigations? Lessons Learned from United States v. Volkswagen and Other Recent Enforcement Actions," Forum on Corporate Enforcement, Boulder, CO, May 24, 2018
- “Deal or No Deal: A Practical Guide to Plea Bargaining,” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2017 White-Collar Seminar, September 14, 2017
- "The Yates Memo Turns Two - A Survey of its Impact on Corporate Cooperation," ABA's Criminal Justice Section, August 10, 2017
- "The New Normal in Government Investigations? Lessons Learned from United States v. Volkswagen and Other Recent Enforcement Actions," Association of Corporate Counsel, July 26, 2017
- "The Legal Considerations of Implementing Blockchain: Security, Risk and Regulatory," DisruptiveRx - Pharma Blockchain Bootcamp, November 16, 2016
- "Recent Developments in Law Enforcement," ABA, April 1, 2016
- "Addressing Law Enforcement Concerns Through Education," DC Blockchain Summit, March 3, 2016
- "What Executives Need to Know About Cyber Risks," February 24, 2016
- "Implications of the Recent Last Look Settlement on Your Business," Foreign Exchange Professionals Association, January 12, 2016
- "'Going Dark' versus 'Breaking the Internet'," RWU Law, October 16, 2015
- BitFury Blockchain Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 7-10, 2015
- "Unprecedented Transparency? Law Enforcement on the Blockchain," Consensus' Digital Currency Conference, September 10, 2015
- "Bitcoin: A Toolkit for Policymakers," Congressional Lunch Briefing, June 12, 2015
- Blockchain Summit, May 25, 2015
- "Digital Payments and Currencies: Global Threat or Opportunity?" Bretton Woods, April 23, 2015
News & Publications
Media Mentions
Chamber of Digital Commerce Interviews Jason Weinstein on Blockchain Alliance
December 4, 2018
Client Alerts
A Thanksgiving Feast: SEC Sets the Table for More Crypto Enforcement Servings to Come
November 20, 2018
By: Micah S. Green, Gary L. Goldsholle, Charles R. Mills, Jason M. Weinstein, Alan Cohn, Josh Oppenheimer
Press Releases
Blockchain Alliance Reaches 100 Members
November 13, 2018
Press Releases
National Law Journal Names Weinstein, Cohn Trailblazers in Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & FinTech
September 4, 2018
Accolades
Steptoe Nabs Two National Law Journal DC Litigation Department of the Year Wins
June 6, 2018
Resources
International Law Advisory
Significant FinCEN Action Against BTC-e, Implications for Virtual Currency Exchangers
July 31, 2017
By: Jack R. Hayes, Brian Egan, Edward J. Krauland, Jason M. Weinstein, Alan Cohn
Events
Seminars & Events
March 1, 2018
Speakers: Jason M. Weinstein, Lisa M. Zarlenga, Alan Cohn, John Cobb
Harvard Club of New York City
35 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
Seminars & Events
Blockchain and Virtual Currency: Tax Issues Workshop
September 12, 2017
Speakers: John Cobb, Alan Cohn, Ruth M. Madrigal, Aaron P. Nocjar, Jason M. Weinstein, Lisa M. Zarlenga
Steptoe
1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Webinars
Don't Get Blocked by the Blockchain Webinar
October 22, 2015
Speakers: Alan Cohn, Douglas Kantor, Jason M. Weinstein
Noteworthy
- National Law Journal, "Trailblazers in Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & FinTech" (2018)
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, DC (2018)
- National Law Journal, "Trailblazers in Cybersecurity" (2016)
- Washingtonian magazine, Best Lawyers: Cybersecurity (2015)
- Legal 500 US, Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense (2014, 2016-2018)
- Super Lawyers, Washington, DC, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2016-2018)
- Legal 500 US, Media, Technology & Telecoms: Cyber Law (2015, 2018)
- Recipient, Department of Justice Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney
- Recipient, District of Maryland Award for Prosecution of Public Corruption