Chinese-Language Networks Now Drive 20% of Crypto Money Laundering

Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs), primarily operating via Telegram, have become the dominant infrastructure for illicit crypto fund laundering, accounting for approximately 20% of all known crypto money laundering activity, according to Chainalysis's 2026 Crypto Crime Report. In 2025, these networks processed $16.1 billion, showing massive growth since 2020. The ecosystem is composed of six service types: running point brokers, money mule motorcades, informal OTC services, Black U services, gambling services, and money movement services, which mirror the traditional placement, layering, and integration phases of money laundering.

Guarantee platforms like Huione act as central hubs for vendors, though operations persist even when specific accounts are shut down. Experts suggest the rapid growth is fueled by wealthy individuals evading Chinese capital controls, providing liquidity for transnational organized crime. Addressing this requires public-private collaboration, combining blockchain analysis with intelligence to proactively disrupt the underlying networks rather than just targeting platforms.

(Source：BeInCrypto)