Crypto linked to growing role in human trafficking networks, report says

Chainalysis reports cryptocurrency payments to suspected human trafficking syndicates rose 85% in 2025, with hundreds of millions of dollars traced on public blockchains; most activity was linked to a criminal ecosystem in Southeast Asia while customers originated from the Americas, Europe and Australia.

Chainalysis, a U.S.-based blockchain analytics firm, reported that cryptocurrency payments to suspected human trafficking syndicates rose sharply in 2025 and that hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions were traceable on public blockchains. The firm said much of the activity was tied to an expanding criminal ecosystem in Southeast Asia that includes scam compounds, illegal online gambling operations and Chinese-language money laundering networks. Chainalysis also reported that operators have moved many activities into messaging platforms such as Telegram, and that the transparency of public blockchains gives researchers and analysts new visibility into financial flows. Key findings: - Crypto payments to suspected trafficking syndicates increased by about 85% in 2025, with hundreds of millions of dollars traced on public blockchains. - Much of the tracked activity was linked to a criminal ecosystem in Southeast Asia involving scam compounds, illegal online gambling, and money laundering networks. - The report groups crypto activity by traffickers into categories including international escort and prostitution services, labor placement and scam operations, and vendors associated with child sexual abuse material (CSAM). - Customers were reported as originating from the Americas, Europe and Australia, and operators increasingly used messaging platforms such as Telegram to advertise, recruit and coordinate payments. Summary: The report indicates a notable rise in the use of cryptocurrency in suspected human trafficking-related operations and highlights a geographically concentrated criminal ecosystem in Southeast Asia alongside a global customer base. Undetermined at this time.