Suspected Human Trafficking Networks See 85% Rise in Crypto Payments in 2025
Crypto payments to suspected human trafficking services surged 85% year-over-year in 2025, according to a Chainalysis report.Summary
A report by Chainalysis reveals that cryptocurrency flows directed to services associated with suspected human trafficking increased by 85% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. The four main categories identified include Telegram-based escort services, forced labor recruitment, prostitution networks, and CSAM vendors. Escort services and prostitution networks primarily utilized stablecoins, which are rapidly converted into local currencies, often integrated with Chinese-language money laundering networks. While Bitcoin was historically favored by CSAM vendors, Monero (XMR) is increasingly used for laundering proceeds, often facilitated by instant exchangers that bypass KYC requirements. This surge mirrors the growth of a broader illicit ecosystem in Southeast Asia involving scam compounds and gambling platforms. Although these trafficking services are often based in Southeast Asia, crypto inflows originate globally, with significant amounts traced to the US, UK, Spain, and Australia, demonstrating the networks' sophisticated global infrastructure enabled by cryptocurrency efficiency.
(Source：BeInCrypto)