Illicit crypto transactions hit record $158 billion in 2025, up 145% from 2024
Illicit crypto flows hit a new all-time high of $158 billion in 2025, more than double what came in the year before ($64.5 billion), according to TRM Labs’ 2026 Crypto Crime Report.
“Prior to this rebound, total incoming value to illicit entities had declined steadily from USD 85.9 billion in 2021 to USD 75.4 billion in 2022 and USD 73.3 billion in 2023, before reaching a low point in 2024,” said TRM.
TRM said this jump is directly tied to tougher sanctions, more governments using crypto, and a tech platform called Beacon Network that lets investigators talk to each other and share wallet info fast, which means dirty wallets are getting flagged sooner.
