Operation Lighthouse Flags Over 7,700 Crypto Accounts Linked to Child Abuse

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis led an operation that identified over 7,700 suspect accounts linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Operation Lighthouse investigated 29,120 crypto addresses and digital identifiers connected to more than 100 CSAM platforms, forums, and distribution networks across the surface and dark web.

The operation also generated 14,300 investigative leads across 11 crypto exchanges and payment services and flagged suspects in 125 countries. Among those identified were 16 registered sex offenders.

'Behind every lead is a real child at risk,' said Tom McLouth, senior intelligence analyst at Chainalysis.

The operation was a multi-day sprint hosted by the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York after months of data enrichment. It brought together law enforcement agencies, private-sector partners, and specialized nonprofits, including Europol, the UK National Crime Agency, Binance, Coinbase, Block, and the Internet Watch Foundation.

Participants used onchain intelligence to develop leads for follow-on legal processes and case development. Chainalysis said the results were expected to lead to arrests, prosecutions, and account-level disruption.