Crypto flows to suspected human trafficking networks rose 85% in 2025, but cryptoanalytics firm Chainalysis said blockchain transparency could help disrupt operations.
Chainalysis said in a report on Thursday that total transaction volume to suspected human trafficking networks, largely based in Southeast Asia, reached “a whole lot of thousands and thousands of dollars across all identified services.”
It added that the services are “closely linked to scams, online casinos and Chinese-language money laundering networks” which have grow to be increasingly popular recently.
According to Chainalysis, the crypto-enabled human trafficking it tracked included Telegram-based international escort services, employment agencies that kidnap people and force them to work in scams, prostitution networks, and providers of kid sexual abuse material.
Crypto payment methods varied significantly, with international escort services and prostitution networks running almost exclusively on stablecoins.
Inflows to suspected human trafficking services by asset type. Source: Chainalysis
Blockchain could help track down human traffickers
Chainalysis said blockchain could help law enforcement detect and disrupt human trafficking by identifying transaction patterns, monitoring compliance and targeting strategic bottlenecks on exchanges and illegal online marketplaces.
“Unlike money transactions, which leave no trace, the transparency of blockchain technology provides unprecedented visibility into these operations, creating unique opportunities for detection and disruption that will be inconceivable with traditional payment methods,” it said.
According to Chainalysis, compliance teams and law enforcement should monitor for big, regular payments to employment services, wallet clusters that show activity in multiple categories of illicit services, and regular stablecoin conversion patterns, amongst other things.
According to Chainalysis, law enforcement has scored several victories against human traffickers previously 12 months, including the shutdown by German authorities of a toddler sexual exploitation platform that was supported by blockchain analytics.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph's editorial guidelines and goals to offer accurate and up-to-date information. Readers are advised to independently confirm the knowledge. Read our editorial policies https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
