U.S. authorities arrested former Canadian snowboarding star Ryan Wedding on Friday, taking him into custody to face charges in the United States. Officials say Wedding, who had been on the FBI's top-10 wanted fugitives list, is accused of using cryptocurrency networks to move and launder proceeds from his criminal enterprises. FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media that Wedding was captured in Mexico, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called him a "onetime Olympian snowboarder-turned alleged violent cocaine kingpin."
Arrest of Ryan Wedding
The FBI and U.S. authorities say they arrested the 44-year-old former athlete and transported him to the United States to face federal charges. Authorities allege he ran a criminal organization that used cryptocurrency to conceal and move illicit funds tied to drug trafficking. The arrest marked the end of his listing among the FBI's most-wanted fugitives, and the FBI director publicly confirmed the capture on the social media platform X.
Background and Criminal Activities
U.S. officials have linked Wedding to the Sinaloa Cartel and accused him of serious offenses including cocaine trafficking and murder. In November, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned him, noting that his criminal organization used cryptocurrency to move and launder the proceeds of drug trafficking. Reporting on the case describes allegations that cryptocurrency networks were central to concealing large sums of illicit wealth.
Coverage of the investigation has also examined the alleged mechanisms used to process and hide funds; for a related breakdown of accusations in this case, see Wedding laundering scheme. Other recent enforcement actions provide context on how authorities pursue crypto-linked financial crimes, including separate cases of large-scale alleged laundering described in the press.
Olympic and Sporting Career
Before these allegations, Wedding competed for Team Canada in the Salt Lake City Olympics of 2002, finishing 24th in his event. The year prior, he won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships, achievements that marked him as a notable young athlete. Reporting on the arrest contrasts that sporting background with the later accusations that led to his placement on the FBI's wanted list.
Official Statements
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described Wedding as a "onetime Olympian snowboarder-turned alleged violent cocaine kingpin" in an official statement, and said he had been flown to the United States to face charges. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that Wedding had been captured in Mexico, confirming the agency's role in the arrest. The Treasury Department's notice accompanying the sanctions emphasized that his organisation used cryptocurrency to move and launder drug proceeds.
Why this matters
This case highlights that U.S. authorities are actively linking cryptocurrency networks to large-scale drug money laundering and are using sanctions and international cooperation as part of investigations. For miners and other participants in the crypto space, the wedding of law enforcement action and public sanctions underlines that authorities scrutinize crypto flows connected to alleged criminal enterprises. If you follow developments in crypto enforcement, this arrest is another example of that scrutiny; for more on similar enforcement contexts, see reporting on recent alleged laundering cases like the crypto laundering cases discussed in related coverage.
What to do?
If you operate mining equipment or manage crypto funds, keep basic compliance and record-keeping practices in place. Maintain clear records of incoming and outgoing transactions and use reputable custodial or exchange services that follow local and international compliance standards. Avoid interacting with addresses or entities that are publicly sanctioned and monitor official notices, because sanctions can affect counterparties and services you might rely on. If you are unsure about compliance obligations, seek advice from a trusted legal or tax professional familiar with cryptocurrency in your jurisdiction.
