Crypto-related crime volume surged in 2025, report finds

The volume of cryptocurrency-related crime surged in 2025 after several years of decline, according to a report from TRM Labs. The estimated value of these illicit activities reached $158 billion, CoinDesk reported, citing the study. Despite the increase in absolute terms, the share of illicit transactions as a percentage of total crypto volume continued to fall to around 1.2%. The report noted that while Russia-linked networks accounted for a majority of the activity, a more significant development was the institutionalization of such practices by sanctioned nations like Venezuela and China.