Chinese money launderers moved more than $16 billion of illicit crypto in 2025, report finds
Chinese money laundering networks now process an estimated 20% of all illicit cryptocurrency funds, according to new research from the blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
In 2025, they laundered on average $44 million in illicit crypto each day, amounting to $16.1 billion. Overall, Chainalysis estimated that $82 billion of cryptocurrency was laundered on-chain last year, a jump from $10 billion in 2020.
The Chinese-language money laundering groups have professionalized laundering operations, promoting their services across a swath of Telegram groups and relying on “guarantee” platforms — marketplaces offering escrow protection where launderers can connect instantaneously with customers.
“Very rapidly, these networks…
