29 articles tagged with #chainalysis. AI-curated summaries with sentiment analysis and key takeaways from 50+ sources.
Chainalysis warns that cryptocurrency payments to Iran could expose shippers to sanctions violations, as blockchain's transparent ledger actually makes illicit transactions easier for authorities to trace and freeze rather than harder to detect. The finding contradicts assumptions that crypto provides anonymity for sanctions evasion.
OFAC sanctioned 6 individuals and 2 entities that facilitated North Korean IT worker schemes, which generated approximately $800 million in 2024 to fund North Korea's weapons development. Key intermediaries helped around 250 North Korean IT workers between mid-2023 and mid-2025.
Sanctioned entities from Russia, Iran and North Korea drove illicit cryptocurrency volumes to a record $154 billion in 2025, with sanctioned entities representing the vast majority of illegal crypto activity according to Chainalysis data.
Chainalysis reports that sanctions evasion using cryptocurrency surged 700% in 2025, with Russia, Iran, and North Korea moving over $100 billion onchain. These countries utilized stablecoins, hacked funds, and state-linked exchanges to circumvent international sanctions.
Cryptocurrency crime reached a record $154 billion in illicit transaction volume in 2025, primarily driven by a massive 694% surge in sanctions evasion activities by state-driven entities. This dramatic increase in sanctioned entities receiving cryptocurrency highlights the growing use of digital assets to circumvent international financial restrictions.
Iranian cryptocurrency withdrawals have surged following recent airstrikes, according to Chainalysis data. This pattern of increased bitcoin outflows during periods of unrest appears to be a recurring crisis response within Iran's $7.8 billion cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Chainalysis projects stablecoin trading volumes could reach $1.5 quadrillion by 2035, signaling explosive growth in digital currency adoption. Simultaneously, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent is pushing Congress to pass the Clarity Act to establish regulatory frameworks for stablecoins.
Chainalysis projects stablecoin real economic volume could surge from $28 trillion in 2025 to $719 trillion by 2035, driven by a $100 trillion generational wealth transfer to crypto-native younger cohorts beginning around 2028. Point-of-sale stablecoin adoption alone could generate $232 trillion in annual transaction volumes, potentially rivaling traditional payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has officially designated Xinbi, a major Chinese-language illicit guarantee marketplace that facilitates crypto-enabled scams. This designation represents a significant regulatory action against cryptocurrency-based fraud infrastructure targeting Chinese-speaking communities.
Iran's cryptocurrency activity reached $3 billion in 2025 as sanctioned countries including Russia and North Korea significantly increased their illicit crypto transactions, according to a Chainalysis report. This surge highlights how sanctioned nations are leveraging digital assets to circumvent international financial restrictions.
Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges experienced $10.3 million in withdrawals following US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, according to Chainalysis data. The outflows highlight crypto's role as a financial refuge for Iranians amid economic instability and geopolitical tensions.
Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges experienced significant outflows of $10.3 million following joint US-Israeli airstrikes, with peak hourly volumes reaching nearly $2 million. This represents a notable flight of capital from Iranian crypto platforms during a period of geopolitical tension.
Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges experienced $10.3 million in outflows between February 28-March 2, 2026, following US-Israeli airstrikes according to Chainalysis data. The significant capital flight demonstrates how geopolitical tensions directly impact crypto markets in affected regions.
On-chain data reveals a significant spike in cryptocurrency outflows from major Iranian exchanges following airstrikes on February 28. This activity represents part of a broader year-long trend of increasing crypto usage in Iran amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Cryptocurrency flows connected to suspected human trafficking operations reached hundreds of millions of dollars in 2025, representing an 85% year-over-year increase according to Chainalysis. This significant rise highlights the growing abuse of digital assets for illicit activities and underscores ongoing challenges in crypto compliance and monitoring.
Cryptocurrency flows to suspected human trafficking services surged 85% year-over-year in 2025, with activity primarily concentrated in Southeast Asia according to Chainalysis research. This significant increase highlights growing concerns about cryptocurrency's role in facilitating illicit activities and may intensify regulatory scrutiny.
An interview with Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin explores emerging trends in cryptocurrency crime detection and blockchain forensics. The discussion highlights how blockchain data platforms are increasingly critical tools for government agencies and financial institutions combating illicit activity in the crypto ecosystem.
The UK government's new fraud strategy identifies cryptocurrency as a 'growing risk' in the financial landscape. However, blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis counters this narrative by arguing that crypto's inherent transparency actually creates a 'powerful flywheel' for disrupting and preventing fraud.
TRM Labs analysis shows Iran's largest crypto exchange Nobitex displayed no clear signs of capital flight following recent strikes, with post-strike wallet activity appearing to be routine liquidity movements. This contrasts with Chainalysis data indicating higher overall outflows from Iranian exchanges during the same period.
Ransomware attacks surged 50% in 2025 with nearly 8,000 incidents recorded, but hackers earned less money than the previous year according to Chainalysis research. Despite the increased frequency of attacks, the cybercrime business appears to be generating lower returns per incident.
OKX has expanded its partnership with Chainalysis by implementing Chainalysis Alterya, a fraud prevention system that blocks transactions to known scam addresses before they occur. According to Chainalysis estimates, $17 billion in crypto was stolen by scammers in 2025, with AI-powered fraud causing 4.5 times more damage than traditional scams.
Ransomware payments reached over $800 million in 2025 according to Chainalysis data. While hackers' total earnings decreased compared to the previous year, individual victims who chose to pay ransoms faced significantly higher payment amounts.
OKX cryptocurrency exchange has expanded its partnership with Chainalysis to implement Alterya, a proactive fraud and scam prevention solution. This integration aims to detect and prevent fraudulent activities before they occur, enhancing security measures for the exchange's users.
Ransomware payments declined 8% to $820 million in 2024 despite a record number of claimed attacks, marking the second consecutive year of payment stagnation. This suggests victims are increasingly refusing to pay ransoms even as cybercriminal activity escalates.
Darknet market activity shows resilience with aggregate flows reaching nearly $2.6 billion in 2025, according to Chainalysis data. The research highlights the evolution of illicit cryptocurrency markets, particularly in areas like fentanyl trafficking and fraud operations.
