Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has sued the U.S. government over a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to award a roughly $94.6 million contract to rival TRM Labs without a competitive bidding process.
Chainalysis Government Solutions filed the challenge in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on July 27, according to court records. The dispute centers on a one-year contract covering blockchain forensic software and support services for Homeland Security Task Force investigations.
The contract runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Chainalysis alleges that ICE's decision to award the deal to TRM Labs on a sole-source basis was "arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable."
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Chainalysis had submitted a capability statement after ICE announced in June that it intended to obtain the services from a single provider. The agency was seeking technology capable of tracing cryptocurrency transactions, conducting blockchain analysis, gathering open-source intelligence, supporting asset recovery efforts and mapping criminal networks.
The company's full complaint remains under seal because it contains confidential business information and trade secrets. As a result, the public filings do not reveal the specific grounds for Chainalysis' objections or the remedy it is seeking.
"TRM already jumped in as an intervenor to defend the award. Briefing is underway and there's oral argument set for early September," corporate attorney Ariel Givner wrote on X.
The court has scheduled responses from the government and TRM for August 21, with Chainalysis expected to respond by August 26. Oral arguments are scheduled for September 2. The government has requested a decision by September 10.
Both Chainalysis and TRM provide blockchain intelligence tools used by government agencies to trace cryptocurrency transactions and investigate suspected financial crimes.
The dispute comes as U.S. immigration authorities expand spending on surveillance and data technology. A recent report from Mijente, Just Futures Law and Surveillance Resistance Lab said ICE's spending on surveillance technology contracts has risen sharply, reaching $513 million in 2026.
