Crypto Crime Hits Record High with Illicit Addresses Receiving Over $154 Billion
Chainalysis has released its latest report on cryptocurrency crime, highlighting a record year for illicit activity in 2025. According to the firm, illicit addresses received at least $154 billion, a 162% increase from the previous year.
The majority of this illicit volume was accounted for by stablecoins, which made up 84% of all transactions. This shift towards stablecoins suggests that criminal actors are increasingly using these assets due to their low volatility and ease of movement across chains and services.
Chainalysis also notes the emergence of Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs), which processed $16.1 billion in inflows in 2025. These CMLNs have grown significantly faster than centralized exchanges and decentralized finance (DeFi) since 2020, indicating a professionalization of laundering operations.
The report also highlights the growing use of DeFi rails by darknet market vendors, with Abacus Market receiving $43.3 million on-chain in 2024, more than doubling from the previous year.