On-chain crypto laundering hits $82B in 2025, law enforcement urged to catch up

[etfs]

On-chain money laundering continues to grow, with Chainalysis estimating over $82 billion in illicit funds laundered in 2025 — up from $10 billion in 2020. Chinese-language networks alone were responsible for $16 billion, roughly $44 million per day.

Experts say the growth is fueled by easier access to crypto and expanding liquidity. Law enforcement is struggling to keep pace. Tom Keatinge of the Royal United Services Institute said there is a “chasm” between criminal capabilities and authorities’ crypto expertise, calling for a systemic global effort to upskill law enforcement and improve information sharing.

Chainalysis recommends targeting both the operators and the platforms that advertise laundering services to curb the growth of this ecosystem.

[tradelikepro]

every time exchanges tighten compliance, the activity just migrates somewhere messier and harder to track.