Chainalysis: Illegal Crypto Transactions Reached $154 Billion Last Year, Funds Inflow to Sanctioned Entities Surged 694%

Odaily News According to a research report released by Chainalysis, state-sponsored activities in the cryptocurrency space saw a significant increase in 2025. Illegal organizations now operate large-scale on-chain infrastructure, assisting transnational criminal networks in acquiring goods and services and laundering their illicit cryptocurrency proceeds. Furthermore, stablecoins dominate the realm of illegal transactions, currently accounting for 84% of all illicit transaction volume.

Data shows that illegal cryptocurrency transactions reached at least $154 billion in 2025. This represents a 162% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by a 694% surge in funds received by sanctioned entities. However, even if the amount received by sanctioned entities had remained flat year-over-year, 2025 would still have been a record year for cryptocurrency crime, as activities in most illegal crime categories increased.