What has happened?

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order, establishing a task force that will develop guidance for the investigation and prosecution of fraud, including "digital currency fraud".

What does this mean?

Announced by the Deputy Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein, the "Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud" will work to deter fraud on consumers and the general public.

The presidential order lists a wide range of fraudulent activities, including cyber fraud; fraud targeting older Americans and service members; securities and commodities fraud; corporate fraud affecting the general public; as well as fraud involving digital currency.

It is not clear what form this guidance will take.

The task force will also advise on "fraud enforcement initiatives".

The task force will be led by Rosenstein and will also invite participation from other US government agencies adn department, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or the Department of Treasury.

The task force replaces the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, which was created in 2009.

Earlier this year, the US government said it was working toward a "comprehensive" strategy around cryptocurrencies, with a focus on market fraud.

In February this year, the DoJ formed a cybersecurity task force that includes cryptocurrencies as part of its mandate.

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