Chinese Money Laundering Networks Dominate Global Crypto Ecosystem
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: 2h ago- Surge in Laundering Scale: According to Chainalysis, Chinese Money Laundering Networks (CMLNs) are projected to process approximately $16.1 billion in illicit funds by 2025, equating to around $44 million daily, underscoring their dominance in the global crypto laundering ecosystem.
- Rising Market Share: CMLNs now account for about 20% of all known illicit crypto laundering activities, a significant increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting their rapid expansion in the laundering landscape.
- Diverse Service Types: Chainalysis identified six distinct service types within the CMLN ecosystem, including point brokers, money mules, and crypto mixing services, which utilize transaction fragmentation and aggregation to evade detection, highlighting the complexity and professionalization of these operations.
- Escalating Regulatory Challenges: Despite enforcement actions causing temporary disruptions to laundering platforms, vendors have quickly migrated to alternative channels, indicating that targeting platforms alone is insufficient to dismantle these laundering networks, thereby exacerbating national security and financial crime risks.
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.
