Chainalysis Report: Crypto Money Laundering Hits $82B, Chinese Services Lead

A new report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis reveals a significant surge in cryptocurrency-based money laundering. The total volume laundered through crypto assets reached approximately $82 billion in the past year, marking a substantial increase. The analysis highlights the growing dominance of Chinese-language over-the-counter (OTC) services and underground banking systems in facilitating these illicit fund flows. These platforms are increasingly used to convert illicit crypto into fiat currency, exploiting regulatory gaps. While the overall share of illicit transactions in crypto remains a small fraction of total volume, the absolute growth in money laundering activity poses a major challenge for global regulators and law enforcement agencies aiming to combat financial crime in the digital asset space.