Chainalysis: "Human trafficking-related" cryptocurrency transactions are expected to grow by 85% year-over-year by 2025, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
Deep Tide TechFlow News, February 12 — According to a Chainalysis report, cryptocurrency transactions suspected of being linked to human trafficking services increased by 85% year-over-year in 2025, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. These services are primarily concentrated in Southeast Asia, including Telegram-based “international escort” services, labor placement intermediaries, prostitution networks, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) suppliers.
The report shows that “international escort” services are deeply integrated with money laundering networks (CMLNs) and escrow platforms, with nearly half of the transactions exceeding $10,000. These services mainly use stablecoins for transactions, while CSAM suppliers are gradually shifting from Bitcoin to privacy coins like Monero for money laundering.
On-chain data analysis reveals that these Southeast Asian organizations have a global influence, with funds flowing to countries including Brazil, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia. Unlike cash transactions, the transparency of cryptocurrencies provides law enforcement and compliance teams with unprecedented opportunities to track and combat these illegal activities.
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Chainalysis: "Human trafficking-related" cryptocurrency transactions are expected to grow by 85% year-over-year by 2025, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars
Deep Tide TechFlow News, February 12 — According to a Chainalysis report, cryptocurrency transactions suspected of being linked to human trafficking services increased by 85% year-over-year in 2025, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. These services are primarily concentrated in Southeast Asia, including Telegram-based “international escort” services, labor placement intermediaries, prostitution networks, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) suppliers.
The report shows that “international escort” services are deeply integrated with money laundering networks (CMLNs) and escrow platforms, with nearly half of the transactions exceeding $10,000. These services mainly use stablecoins for transactions, while CSAM suppliers are gradually shifting from Bitcoin to privacy coins like Monero for money laundering.
On-chain data analysis reveals that these Southeast Asian organizations have a global influence, with funds flowing to countries including Brazil, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia. Unlike cash transactions, the transparency of cryptocurrencies provides law enforcement and compliance teams with unprecedented opportunities to track and combat these illegal activities.