Chainalysis Reports $154 Billion in Illicit Crypto Activity in 2025
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 08 2026- Surge in Illicit Activity: According to Chainalysis, illicit crypto addresses received approximately $154 billion in 2025, marking a 162% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by activities linked to sanctioned entities, indicating that state-backed networks dominate illegal on-chain activities.
- Government Networks Lead: The report highlights that networks associated with North Korea, Russia, and Iran accounted for a significant share of illicit activities in 2025, with North Korean hackers stealing around $2 billion in digital coins, making it the most damaging year for these notorious groups.
- Role of Stablecoins: Russia processed over $93 billion in transactions through the A7A5 stablecoin in 2025, despite increased global enforcement efforts, demonstrating the token's importance in circumventing sanctions, leading to subsequent sanctions from the U.S. and EU against its network.
- Legitimate Activity Dominates: Despite the sharp rise in illicit transaction values, illegal transactions constituted less than 1% of all crypto transaction volume in 2025, indicating that the majority of blockchain activity remains legal and transparent, reflecting the overall health of the crypto market.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
