Russian-language dark marketplaces funneled nearly $2 billion through Western cryptocurrency exchanges in the first nine months of 2025, according to data from blockchain analytics firm Global Ledger cited by anti-corruption expert Ilya Shumanov, reported by The Insider on November 9.
Five major platforms—MEGA, Kraken, BlackSprut, OMG! OMG! , and Nova—were responsible for most of the activity, with Kraken alone accounting for $1.3 billion. The funds passed through at least 20 licensed exchanges holding over 130 international permits, Global Ledger found, noting that such transactions are growing by 20–25 percent annually.
