35 articles tagged with #crypto-crime. AI-curated summaries with sentiment analysis and key takeaways from 50+ sources.
The UK has sanctioned the Xinbi cryptocurrency platform, which allegedly processed $19.9 billion in illicit flows between 2021 and 2025. The sanctions aim to disrupt a major scam market by severing its connections to legitimate cryptocurrency services.
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.
Crypto crime reached a record $154 billion, with funds flowing to sanctioned entities surging 694% year-over-year. Sanctions evasion has become the fastest-growing category of cryptocurrency-related criminal activity.
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.
The U.S. Justice Department has opened a compensation program for victims of OneCoin, a $4 billion cryptocurrency fraud scheme. OneCoin's co-founders Ruja Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood operated the scam from Bulgaria, with Ignatova disappearing in 2017 and Greenwood serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Two French teenagers were arrested after allegedly kidnapping a family of cryptocurrency owners and making bomb threats, triggering a helicopter manhunt by police. The incident highlights the growing security risks facing crypto holders as criminals increasingly target them for their digital assets.
John 'Lick' Daghita, son of a U.S. government contractor, was arrested in France following a joint FBI operation for allegedly stealing tens of millions in cryptocurrency from government seizure wallets. The theft involved crypto assets managed by his father's company that handles seized digital assets for the government.
Game developer Sillytuna lost $24 million in cryptocurrency during a violent physical robbery in the UK, contradicting initial reports that described it as an 'address poisoning' cyberattack. The victim has appealed for help recovering the stolen funds after what appears to be a 'wrench attack' - a physical assault to force access to crypto wallets.
The US Department of Justice seized and froze $580 million in cryptocurrency from Chinese transnational criminals over a three-month period. The operation was conducted by the District of Columbia's Scam Center Strike Force, which was established in November by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Cryptocurrency transactions linked to human trafficking increased by 85% last year, with Southeast Asia experiencing a surge in illicit activity as countries turn to illegal operations to sustain their economies.
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.
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.
Jonathan Spalletta, a Maryland man also known as 'Cthulhon,' has been charged by the DOJ with stealing over $53 million from a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange. He allegedly laundered the stolen funds through Tornado Cash, facing charges of computer fraud and money laundering.
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has identified a 73-bitcoin stash linked to a Russian crypto broker allegedly involved in $4.7 million money laundering operations. The dormant wallet containing the digital assets could serve as key evidence in bringing the broker to justice.
TRM Labs has launched an AI agent service to help law enforcement agencies investigate cryptocurrency-related crimes. This new tool enhances the blockchain analytics firm's existing offerings for detecting and tracking illicit crypto activities.
A sheriff's deputy has been sentenced to over five years in prison for using his official position to extort rivals of a self-proclaimed cryptocurrency 'Godfather.' The case highlights corruption issues within law enforcement related to cryptocurrency operations.
Police in Spain's Basque Country report a surge in cryptocurrency-related crimes, including scamming, crypto kidnapping, and money laundering activities. The criminal activities are spreading across Southern Europe, highlighting growing security concerns in the crypto space.
French police arrested 12 individuals in Lyon connected to violent cryptocurrency kidnappings that occurred in August. This represents a widening investigation into a series of crypto-related violent crimes in France.
A French couple was robbed of approximately $1 million in Bitcoin by criminals who impersonated police during a fake home invasion. This incident highlights the growing trend of physical 'wrench attacks' targeting cryptocurrency holders.
Nevin Shetty, a former CFO, was sentenced to two years in prison for wire fraud after secretly diverting $35 million from a Seattle startup to his own crypto platform in 2022. The funds were used for DeFi investments without authorization from the company.
A former Seoul police officer responsible for investigating cryptocurrency crimes was sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes. This case highlights corruption issues within law enforcement agencies tasked with crypto regulation and crime prevention.
Former LAPD officer Eric Halem was convicted of stealing $350,000 worth of Bitcoin by handcuffing and threatening to kill a teenager. This case highlights the ongoing security risks and criminal exploitation of cryptocurrency holders.
Former LAPD officer Eric Halem was found guilty of kidnapping and robbery charges after stealing $350,000 in Bitcoin from a teenager during a home invasion. Halem now faces life in prison for what appears to be a 'wrench attack' - a physical crypto theft targeting an individual holder.
Japanese regulators are seeking assistance from private sector technology companies to combat the increasing use of cryptocurrency in money laundering activities. This represents a shift toward public-private partnerships in addressing crypto-related financial crimes in Japan.
The DOJ seized $580 million from sophisticated crypto investment scams that operate like professional call centers, using fake relationships and fabricated trading platforms. These scams begin with wrong-number texts that evolve into friendships before victims are lured into fake investment platforms with false returns.
