Report: Crypto-Linked Human Trafficking Surged 85% in 2025
A new report from Chainalysis reveals a disturbing 85% increase in cryptocurrency payments tied to human trafficking networks over the past year. The data shows that while many of these syndicates operate out of Southeast Asia, their "customers" are globally distributed across the Americas, Europe, and Australia.
Key findings from the report include:
Criminal Ecosystems: Trafficking is often intertwined with illegal gambling and "scam compounds" that force victims to conduct online fraud.
Shift to Messaging Apps: Criminals are moving away from the darknet toward Telegram to recruit victims and coordinate illicit payments.
The Role of Stablecoins: Many networks use stablecoins and specialized laundering groups to move funds quickly.
Despite the rise in activity, the report highlights a silver lining: blockchain transparency. The public nature of these transactions provides authorities with "unprecedented visibility," leading to major seizures including $15 billion in BTC from a Cambodian scam center last year.