Cryptocurrency flows to services linked to suspected human trafficking have risen by 85% in 2025 compared to last year.
These findings come from a new report by blockchain analysis company Chainalysis, which indicates that the relationship between cryptocurrency and suspected human trafficking has increased significantly over the past year.
Which crypto-assets are most used in suspected human trafficking networks
The report described four main groups of suspected human trafficking involving crypto. These are: ‘international escort’ services organized via Telegram, recruitment for forced labor linked to scam compounds, prostitution networks, and sellers of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“The relationship between cryptocurrency and suspected human trafficking has strengthened in 2025. The total transaction volume for these services reached hundreds of millions of dollars, an increase of 85% year-on-year. The amounts in dollars do not reflect the true human toll of these crimes, as the real cost is measured in lives affected and not in the money being transferred,” wrote Chainalysis.
According to the report, the method of payment varied by category. International escort services and prostitution networks utilized stablecoins.
“The 'international escort services' are strongly connected to Chinese-speaking money laundering networks. These networks quickly exchange USD stablecoins for local currencies, reducing the likelihood that stablecoin holdings will be frozen,” Chainalysis noted.
CSAM sellers traditionally relied more heavily on Bitcoin (BTC). However, Bitcoin's dominance has decreased due to the rise of Layer 1 networks.
Also in 2025, these networks still accept well-known cryptocurrencies for payments, but they are increasingly opting for Monero (XMR) to launder the proceeds. According to Chainalysis:
“Instant exchangers, which offer quick and anonymous crypto swaps without KYC, are very important in this regard.”
The dual role of crypto in transactions linked to human trafficking
Chainalysis noted that the significant increase in crypto flows towards services linked to suspected human trafficking is not an isolated phenomenon. It reflects the rapid growth of scam compounds, online casinos, and gambling platforms in Southeast Asia and Chinese money laundering networks (CMLN) and guarantee systems that almost all operate via Telegram.
Together, these parties form a rapidly growing regional criminal network with global impact. The report states that Chinese-speaking services operating in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and many South Asian countries demonstrate highly advanced payment processing and large cross-border networks.
Moreover, geographical analysis shows that many of the services linked to human trafficking are based in Southeast Asia, but the influx of cryptocurrency comes from all over the world. Large flows of money were found from countries like the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia.
“Although traditional forms and routes of human trafficking continue to exist, these services in Southeast Asia demonstrate how cryptocurrency makes it easier for traffickers to process payments and conceal cash flows globally. The diversity of destination countries indicates that these networks have advanced infrastructure for global operations,” the report states.
At the same time, Chainalysis emphasizes that blockchain transparency gives researchers more insight into financial activities related to human trafficking.
Unlike cash transactions, which leave virtually no trace, blockchain transactions provide permanent and traceable data. This offers new opportunities for detection and combating criminals, which cannot be achieved with traditional payment methods.