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 Work
Representative Matters
White-Collar Criminal Defense/Internal Investigations
- Representing Volkswagen AG in diesel emissions criminal case and related matters.
- Representing multiple global automotive companies in investigations by DOJ and SEC.
- Representing engineer in DOJ prosecution relating to Fiat Chrysler.
- Representing prominent cryptocurrency companies in investigations by federal and state agencies.
- Representing healthcare executives in multiple DOJ investigations.
- Led internal investigation for board of Pilot Flying J, one of the nation's largest private companies, in response to criminal fraud investigation.
- Represented bitcoin ATM company and CEO in DOJ criminal investigation. The government declined to pursue charges.
- Represented major financial institution in investigation of allegations of corruption by FIFA officials. The government declined to pursue charges.
- 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.
- Represented former member of corporate board of directors in investigation of alleged money laundering and securities fraud. The government declined to pursue charges.
- Represented public officials in investigations by the DOJ, congressional committees, and Inspectors General.
- Represented multiple prominent attorneys in connection with investigations by DOJ.
- Represented foreign government in connection with Internet gambling matter.
- Represented global entertainment company in connection with motion picture piracy investigation.
Blockchain/Cryptocurrency
- Representing leading cryptocurrency companies in federal and state government investigations.
- Represented Bitfinex and Tether in investigation by New York Attorney General’s Office.
- Representing three of the world’s 10 largest cryptocurrency exchanges by volume on wide range of legal matters, including compliance with various US regulatory regimes.
- Representing leading blockchain transaction processing firm on wide range of legal and regulatory matters.
- Representing token issuer on launch of cryptocurrency designed for P2P payments.
- Represented cryptocurrency exchange on successful launch of new product to facilitate merchant payments.
- Represented three venture capital firms on various digital asset-related rulemaking processes conducted by FinCEN, OCC, and other federal agencies.
- Advising prominent retailers on legal and business issues involved in accepting cryptocurrencies as methods of payment.
- Advising leading early-stage cryptocurrency companies on legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
Speaking Engagements
- "Navigating the Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework from US Department of Justice and Regulators – Domestically and Abroad," Lexology Webinar, April 8, 2021
- "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
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 24 Practice, 71 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2021
May 20, 2021
Client Alerts
The Urgent Need to Assess and Respond to Russian Supply Chain Attacks
December 22, 2020
By: Michael Vatis, Stewart A. Baker, Alan Cohn, Charles-Albert Helleputte, Paul R. Hurst, Jason M. Weinstein
Press Releases
GIR Names Steptoe One of the Top 30 Investigations Firms for Sixth Year
October 23, 2020
Client Alerts
October 1, 2020
By: Alan Cohn, Charles-Albert Helleputte, Diletta De Cicco, Simon Hirsbrunner, Algirdas Semeta, Guy Soussan, Stefan Tsakanakis, Jason M. Weinstein
Resources
Client Alerts
Significant FinCEN Action Against BTC-e, Implications for Virtual Currency Exchangers
July 31, 2017
By: Jack R. Hayes, Edward J. Krauland, Jason M. Weinstein, Alan Cohn
Events
Webinars
Navigating the Road Ahead: Oversight and Enforcement Related to COVID-19 Funds
July 13, 2021
Speakers: Jason M. Weinstein, Reem Sadik, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Tyler C. Murray, Ari Redbord
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, 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, Jason M. Weinstein
Noteworthy
- Law360, "MVP," Fintech (2020)
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2021-2022)
- National Law Journal, "Trailblazer in Criminal Law" (2020)
- National Law Journal, "Trailblazers in Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & FinTech" (2018)
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, DC (2018-2021)
- 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, 2016-2019)
- Super Lawyers, Washington, DC, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2016-2021)
- Legal 500 US, Media, Technology & Telecoms: Cyber Law (2015, 2018-2019)
- 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