Crypto money-laundering hit $82 billion in 2025, researchers say

Crypto money-laundering hit $82 billion in 2025, researchers say

By Elizabeth Howcroft Jan 27 (Reuters) – Money launderers received at least $82 billion in cryptocurrencies last year, up sharply from $10 billion in 2020, driven in part by fast growth among ‍Chinese-speaking groups, blockchain researchers said on Tuesday. The fastest-growing category has been Chinese-language money-laundering networks, which emerged during the pandemic and processed almost $40 million worth of crypto per day in 2025, U.S.-base…

Chinese-language crypto laundering networks surge as illicit on-chain flows hit $82B

Chinese-language networks now handle a disproportionate share of global crypto money laundering flows, according to a new Chainalysis report.

Crypto Crime Wave Fueled by Chinese-Language Money Laundering

Cryptocurrency laundering was an $82 billion problem last year, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday (Jan. 27), citing data from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. Chinese-language money laundering networks made up $16.1 billion of that total as they play an increasing role in crypto crime, the report said. “These are groups that are growing exponentially,” Andrew Fierman, head of national security intelligence at Chainalysis, told Bloom…

Chinese-language crypto laundering networks surge as illicit on-chain flows hit $82B - Technology Shout

New research from blockchain analysis firm Chainaanalysis shows that cryptocurrency money laundering activities have expanded dramatically in the past five years, and Chinese networks are becoming a core pillar of the global underground economy. The report estimates that more than $82 billion will flow through on-chain money laundering channels by 2025, up from about $10 billion in 2020. Chainaanalysis attributes this surge not only to growing l…

Chinese-Language Laundering Networks Now Dominate a Fifth of Global Illicit Crypto Flows

The illicit on-chain money laundering ecosystem has expanded sharply over the past five years and has grown from just $10 billion in 2020 to more than $82 billion in 2025, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. This surge was attributed to the rising accessibility and liquidity of cryptocurrencies, in addition to a major change in how laundering activity is carried out and which actors are involved. CMLN Inflows In fact, data show t…