Crypto Money Laundering Reaches USD82bn in 2025, Chainalysis Says

Crypto money laundering surged in 2025, with criminals receiving at least USD82bn in illicit cryptocurrency flows, according to a report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

Crypto money laundering volumes rose sharply from about USD10bn in 2020, driven in part by rapid growth among Chinese-speaking networks.

Chainalysis said the fastest-growing segment, Chinese-language money-laundering networks that emerged during the pandemic, processed nearly USD40m a day last year.

The firm identified about 1,800 active wallets used by these groups to process USD16.1bn in 2025, though it said the total was likely higher.

Chainalysis added that criminals often rely on “guarantee” platforms offering escrow services and advertising, while Chinese prosecutors said 3,032 people were sued in 2024 over crypto-related laundering.