Crypto Crimes Triple to $21 Billion in 2025 Driven by Multi-Chain Ecosystems

Crypto crimes across blockchains reached over $21 billion in 2025, a tripling from 2023, as reported by Elliptic, a prominent blockchain analytics firm. The surge highlights increased criminal activity leveraging multi-chain ecosystems. This marked a significant increase from $7 billion in 2023, indicating growing criminal activity. Key players include Elliptic and Arda Akartuna, who emphasized this expanding multichain ecosystem. “It’s an increasingly multichain ecosystem... that just widens the available assets and the available obfuscation channels open to criminals.” Criminals exploit assets and channels for obfuscation, drawn by the larger pool of potential targets.

The financial impact echoes through increased laundering of assets like ETH, BTC, and other L1/L2 tokens. These tokens are pivotal in cross-chain activity via bridges and DEXs. Society sees the ramifications as cross-chain tools have become essential in money laundering, complicating regulatory oversight. Criminals are widening their tactics across different blockchains, raising the complexity of law enforcement investigations.

Historical trends continue to evolve as crimes increasingly leverage cross-chain technologies. Analysts predict ongoing growth in multi-chain tool usage for illicit activities, challenging traditional anti-money laundering strategies. To address these issues, industries may invest in advanced blockchain analytics solutions, stressing the need for comprehensive monitoring to counteract sophisticated laundering strategies. The sector anticipates potential shifts in regulations and innovations in tech solutions.