Public-Private Crypto Unit Freezes $300M in 23 Jurisdictions

TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs' joint T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU) has frozen over $300 million in criminal assets since its launch in September 2024, marking a pivotal milestone in the fight against cryptocurrency-related financial crime. The initiative, a public-private partnership, has collaborated with law enforcement agencies across 23 jurisdictions to disrupt illicit activities such as money laundering, fraud, and terrorism financing, demonstrating the growing role of blockchain technology in enhancing global financial integrity .

The T3 FCU's efforts have gained international recognition, including a recent endorsement from Brazil's Federal Police for its role in Operation Lusocoin. This operation, targeting large-scale money laundering through crypto assets, resulted in the freezing of over R$3 billion in assets, including 4.3 million USDT linked to criminal networks . The unit's success underscores the effectiveness of cross-border collaboration, with investigations spanning five continents and focusing on typologies such as illicit goods transactions, hacks, and "wrench attacks"-incidents involving physical coercion tied to crypto assets .

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized the initiative's impact, stating that the milestone reflects the real-world utility of blockchain technology in combating crime. "Reaching the USD 300 million milestone demonstrates the real-world impact of blockchain technology in combating financial crime," he said, highlighting Tether's collaboration with 280 law enforcement agencies globally . TRON founder Justin Sun echoed this sentiment, calling the unit a model for how technology, institutions, and people can work together to strengthen trust in the digital economy .

TRM Labs CEO Esteban Castaño noted that public-private partnerships are essential for addressing the complexities of crypto crime. "Real progress happens when investigators, platforms, and analytics teams are working from the same map in real time," he said, adding that the T3 FCU's rapid response capabilities and global coordination have set a precedent for future efforts .

The unit's achievements include freezing $100 million in illicit USDT by January 2025, with $3 million tied to North Korean networks, and expanding its reach through the T3+ Global Collaborator Program. Launched in August 2025, the program brought Binance on board as its first member, enhancing cross-border coordination and information sharing to tackle crimes like "pig butchering" scams . Recent operations under T3+ have already led to the freezing of $6 million linked to fraudulent schemes .

The T3 FCU's work aligns with broader trends in crypto security. A separate report by RWA.io and Veritas Protocol noted a 143% spike in tokenized asset losses in the first half of 2025, underscoring the need for proactive measures . The T3 FCU's success in freezing illicit assets-particularly stablecoins, which accounted for 63% of illicit transactions in the report-highlights its role in mitigating risks as the tokenized asset market grows .

Looking ahead, the unit plans to expand its collaborations. In October 2025, T3 FCU members participated in the 9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptocurrencies in Vienna, co-organized by Europol and the Basel Institute on Governance. The event focused on strengthening international coordination and advancing frameworks for cryptoasset seizure .

As the crypto industry matures, initiatives like T3 FCU are critical in addressing challenges that threaten its legitimacy. While the unit's efforts have already disrupted criminal networks, experts caution that ongoing innovation and global cooperation will be necessary to stay ahead of evolving threats. For now, the $300 million milestone stands as a testament to what can be achieved when technology and law enforcement align .