A freeze order is a restriction that prevents specified funds or accounts from being moved, withdrawn, or otherwise used. It may be imposed through a legal process or applied by a platform or custodian under its own controls. In cryptocurrency, the effect depends on who controls the assets: a service can often restrict balances it holds, while assets in a self-custody wallet may not be directly immobilized by that service.
In cybercrime response, a freeze order can limit an attacker’s ability to cash out and give investigators time to trace transfers. It does not by itself show how funds were stolen, guarantee recovery, or establish that all related assets are contained. Responders should distinguish a legal order from a technical or administrative restriction and verify which accounts or assets it covers.