AI-Fueled Crypto Crime Surges to Record Levels

The adoption of artificial intelligence in cryptocurrency-related crime has surged by 40% over the past year, according to TRM Labs' 2026 AI Crime Index.

The index measures AI use across various criminal activities and climbed to 54 out of 100, classified as the 'emerging' stage, up from just 28 in 2024.

A notable statistic is the increase in reported crypto fraud involving deepfakes and AI chatbots, which has risen by as much as 13 times compared to 2022.

The report highlights a record number of hacking incidents in 2026, with losses from deepfake scams exceeding total losses for all of 2025 by 263% in the first half of this year alone.