In brief
- Chainalysis estimates crypto scams generated over $17 billion in losses for 2025.
- Impersonation scams grew more than 1,400% year over year, driven in part by AI tools.
- AI-enabled scams generated 4.5 times more revenue per operation than traditional scams.
In 2025, crypto scams became faster, more convincing, and more profitable as artificial intelligence and impersonation tactics pushed estimated losses to a record $17 billion, according to a new report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
The sharp increase reflects not just more scams, but more effective ones. According to Chainalysis’ report released Tuesday, the average scam payment rose to $2,764 in 2025, up from $782 a year earlier—a 253% increase.
“On a…
Jan 15 2026
