October 9, 2025
The Cryptocurrency Anti-Fraud Education (CAFE) Association has announced its official launch as a nonprofit organization calling for new members who are dedicated to stopping cryptocurrency fraud, educating the public about cryptocurrency scams, and equipping industry players with the tools and best practices to protect consumers. The CAFE Association will focus on nationwide education campaigns, industry collaboration, and research designed to address the growing threat of fraud in digital finance. As cryptocurrency adoption expands, so too has the risk of scams targeting consumers — from fraudulent schemes against seniors to AI-enabled voice scams and cash-for-crypto transfers.
“Fraud isn’t just a consumer problem — it’s an industry problem,” said Edward “Coach” Weinhaus, CAFE Association’s interim Founding Executive Director. “Anna, Erica, and I formed CAFE to stand at the intersection of consumer protection and industry responsibility. Our mission is to protect vulnerable populations, provide trusted resources, and support companies that are committed to doing the right thing.”
Coach was referring to Anna Milne and Erica Chaving, two experienced non-profit finance executives to join the initial board. (Below).
CAFE will lead education campaigns that raise public awareness; develop industry-leading best practices for fraud prevention; and provide members with access to a 24/7 Anti-Fraud Hotline to help track, report, and mitigate scams. The association will also produce research, analysis, and white papers to support policymakers, media, and companies working to strengthen transparency in the cryptocurrency sector. Fraud thrives in confusion. By providing clear, unbiased research and public education, CAFE Association aims to make crypto safer and more accessible for everyone. The association is also committed to monitoring litigation and legislation, providing informational support to members, and demonstrating that the industry can and will rise to the challenge of protecting consumers.
Founding Board of Directors
The CAFE Association’s founding board includes professionals spanning law, journalism, finance, and nonprofit leadership:
• Erica Chavin, Director of Finance & Operations at the Scintillon Research Institute, founding CFO of the Center for Child-Safe Divorce, and nonprofit leader at Children of the Court, where she has emphasized financial literacy and consumer protection.
• Anna Milne, fintech journalist and researcher known for her incisive analyses of emerging financial technologies, crypto policy, and consumer protection. Anna also recently moderated discussions with industry leaders about fintech and sport and ethics in the new financial order at this year’s Money 20/20 and Sibos conferences respectively.
• Edward “Coach” Weinhaus, Esq., attorney and cryptocurrency regulatory academic with extensive experience in compliance and fraud enforcement. He has built multiple cryptocurrency companies, advised branches of the U.S. government, and taught Booth’s first cryptocurrency and blockchain course.
Membership Now Open
Membership in CAFE is open to all cryptocurrency companies committed to protecting consumers and strengthening trust in digital finance. This includes Bitcoin ATM operators, wallet providers, and fintech platforms that engage directly with the public. Members gain access to CAFE’s fraud-prevention infrastructure, research collaborations, and policy monitoring, as well as public recognition for their proactive leadership in advancing safety and transparency across the industry.
For more information or to apply for membership, visit CAFEAssociation.org.
About CAFE Association
The Cryptocurrency Anti-Fraud Education (CAFE) Association is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to protecting consumers, educating the public, and supporting industry best practices in the fight against cryptocurrency fraud. CAFE provides member companies with resources, and will support a consumer 24/7 Anti-Fraud Hotline. CAFE Association’s staff will produce collaborative research, monitor policy to strengthen consumer trust, and improve standards across the digital finance sector.