Bitcoin and Encryption: A Race Between Criminals and the F.B.I. The F.B.I. scored two major victories, recovering a Bitcoin ransom and tricking lawbreakers with an encryption app. But criminals may still have the upper hand. The F.B.I. headquarters in Washington. The bureau has resources to recover stolen cryptocurrencies that are beyond the reach of most law enforcement agencies.Credit...Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times June 12, 2021, 11:04 a.m. ET Whether it was gangsters a century ago speeding off in faster getaway cars, or terrorists and hackers in recent decades who shielded their communications through encrypted apps, criminals have perennially exploited technology to stay a step ahead of law enforcement.