Chainalysis: Illegal cryptocurrency transactions will reach $154 billion in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 162%

Chainalysis released a research report indicating that by 2025, the activities of nations in the cryptocurrency sector tracked by them will have significantly increased. Illegal organizations are now operating large-scale on-chain infrastructures that assist transnational crime networks in acquiring goods and services, as well as laundering their illegally obtained cryptocurrencies.

Data shows that in 2025, illegal cryptocurrency transactions will reach at least $154 billion. This represents a 162% increase from the previous year, primarily due to a 694% surge in amounts received by sanctioned entities. However, even if the amounts received by sanctioned entities remain the same as the previous year, 2025 will still be a record year for cryptocurrency crime, as activities in most categories of illegal crime have increased. Additionally, stablecoins dominate the illegal trading sector, currently accounting for 84% of all illegal transaction volume.