The Alarming Escalation of Crypto Theft in 2025 The cryptocurrency landscape is currently grappling with an unprecedented surge in criminal activity, as digital asset thefts reach alarming new highs. According to a mid-year report released by blockchain forensic firm Chainalysis, criminals have plundered an astonishing $2.17 billion in digital assets during the first half of…
Asia’s Alarming Rise in Crypto-Related Crime Asia is rapidly becoming the epicentre of a significant surge in crypto-related criminal activity, experiencing not only record-breaking digital heists but also a concerning increase in physical violence targeting cryptocurrency holders. A recent mid-year update published by Chainalysis reveals that the Asia-Pacific region now ranks second globally for Bitcoin…
Intensified Crackdown on Criminal Assets Sweden’s Justice Minister, Gunnar Strömmer, has issued a directive to local authorities, urging them to escalate crackdowns that could result in larger seizures of assets, including cryptocurrency. This call to action is based on a 2024 law that permits the confiscation of luxury items and cash from individuals, even if…
STRASBOURG— In a significant show of cross-border cooperation, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) from across the European Union gathered in Strasbourg this week to address growing concerns over the use of crypto-assets and decentralised finance (DeFi) for money laundering and terrorist financing. The high-level roundtable, co-organised by the Council of Europe, the French FIU (Tracfin), and…
In a landmark move to counter rising digital asset crimes, Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security has announced a sweeping initiative to acquire advanced blockchain analysis software. The effort aims to crack down on the illicit use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum in crimes ranging from fraud to money laundering, signalling a…
NEW YORK, USA— What began as a digital revolution has now taken a darker, more physical turn. As cryptocurrency adoption grows, so too does a disturbing new form of theft, one that trades phishing emails for fists and brute force. Known as “wrench attacks,” these violent crimes are shaking the global crypto community. Just last…
Germany’s anti-money laundering authority has sounded the alarm on the increasing use of cryptocurrencies in illicit finance, reporting a record 8.2% year-on-year rise in crypto-related suspicious activity reports (SARs). According to the 2024 annual report from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), digital assets are now embedded in complex, global money laundering networks and traditional financial…
