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Sanctions remain dominant at 33% of illicit crypto flows in 2024, analysts say

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Sanctions remain the top illicit crypto category at 33% of illicit volume, as overall blockchain transactions surged to $10.6 trillion in 2024.

Crypto transactions jumped 56% in 2024 to $10.6 trillion, while illicit activity fell 24% to $45 billion, now just 0.4% of total volume, down from 0.9% in 2023, TRM Labs reports.

In a Feb. 18 blog post, the blockchain forensic firm said sanctions-linked transactions made up the largest share of illicit crypto activity, accounting for 33% of the total. Blocklisted funds followed at 29%, with scams and fraud at 24%.

The analysts expect the illicit volume figures to rise over time as more data is analyzed. In early 2024, the firm estimated illicit transactions for 2023 at $34.8 billion. However, that number has now been revised up to $58.7 billion, a 69% increase. Similarly, 2022’s estimate was raised from $49.6 billion to $56.6 billion.

Sanctions remain dominant at 33% of illicit crypto flows in 2024, analysts say - 1
Incoming volume to Tether blocklisted addresses | Source: TRM Labs

For comparison, another blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis reported in January that illicit crypto volume in 2024 hit nearly $41 billion. However, the firm noted that the figure could rise by another $10 billion as more shady addresses are uncovered.

“We consider our estimate as the minimum, or ‘floor,’ for the volume of illicit cryptocurrency, and expect figures to increase over time with delayed attribution and reporting.”

TRM Labs

TRON remains the top blockchain in terms of illicit transactions in 2024 at 58%, the analysts say, adding that the network is followed by Ethereum (24%) and Bitcoin (12%). While it might seem that bad actors are increasingly using TRON allegedly due to its small fee, the network also saw the biggest drop in illicit activity, with a $6 billion decline.

As crypto.news reported earlier, Spanish authorities and the T3 Financial Crime Unit froze over $26 million in crypto linked to a money laundering ring operating across Europe. The crackdown was made possible by T3 FCU — a team backed by TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs — which worked with Spain’s Guardia Civil to track down the crypto addresses tied to the group. Officials say the organization moved millions, converting cash into crypto for illicit use.

That operation marked T3 FCU’s biggest asset freeze since launching in 2024. So far, the team has helped authorities seize more than $126 million in illicit crypto across five continents. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino called the effort a “testament to the power of blockchain” in fighting crime, adding that “those who attempt to misuse Tether will get caught.”



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Pakistan Plans To Legalise Bitcoin And Crypto

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Pakistan unveils plans to legalise bitcoin and crypto and implement a regulatory framework to attract foreign investment and boost adoption.

Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, told Bloomberg on Thursday that Pakistan has unveiled plans to legalise bitcoin and crypto and implement a regulatory framework to attract foreign investment and boost adoption.

The government aims to devise clear regulations and align with international best practices. Pakistan’s Finance Minister formed the PCC last week to steer the country’s crypto strategy.

“Pakistan is done sitting on the sidelines” regarding bitcoin and crypto, Saqib told Bloomberg. “We want to attract international investment because Pakistan is a low-cost, high-growth market with 60% of the population under 30.”

“Trump is making crypto a national priority, and every country, including Pakistan, will have to follow suit,” he said.

This move comes amid a global shift in attitudes towards bitcoin and crypto after the United States pushed for greater mainstream acceptance. The new stance is a stark change for Pakistan, which had previously banned crypto. By embracing bitcoin and crypto early, Pakistan is looking to position itself as a regional leader and attract investors.

Pakistan’s central bank had expressed concerns earlier. However, the government now seeks to mitigate risks through prudent legislation. Clear rules could boost innovation and prevent potential abuse of decentralised networks.





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‘This Is a Good Sign’: Crypto Analyst Says Bitcoin at a Key Inflection Point, Unveils Breakout Targets for BTC

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A widely followed analyst says Bitcoin (BTC) is showing signs of being on the verge of a massive breakout.

The analyst pseudonymously known as Credible Crypto tells his 462,900 followers on the social media platform X that Bitcoin may reclaim the $100,000 range if BTC can break through resistance around the $88,000 level.

“We’re at a key inflection point around this region, but since we went up to tag it BEFORE going down to range lows this is a good sign. It increases the odds that if we reject here but hold range lows [at around $78,000], the next move up will be expansion and a true breakout through not just this level but the original supply zone above in RED that we first rejected from. All eyes on this key zone for now.”

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Source: Credible Crypto/X

The analyst says Bitcoin’s dip to the $84,000 range after tagging $87,000 on Thursday keeps the flagship crypto asset on target to reclaim the $100,000 level.

“A perfect rejection so far.”

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Source: Credible Crypto/X

Bitcoin is trading for $84,427 at time of writing, down 1.5% in the last 24 hours.

Next up, the analyst suggests payments token XRP may dip below $2.00 before rallying to its all-time high of about $3.40.

“This is still the game plan for XRP by the way. If we don’t get it, we don’t get it, and we ride spot to double digits regardless. But I’m not interested in jumping into fresh longs mid-range. Hoping people choose to fade this push so we get what would be a fantastic opportunity.”

Image
Source: Credible Crypto/X

XRP is trading for $2.45 at time of writing, down 1.7% in the last 24 hours.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

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Top 6 Important Fed Decisions To Know After SEC Drops Ripple Lawsuit Appeal

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The crypto industry received a significant legal victory as Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced on March 19 that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had officially dropped its appeal against the company. The announcement came in a video posted on social media platform X, where Garlinghouse noted the regulatory agency’s decision to end its pursuit of further litigation.

Besides this interesting development, another major financial development has taken center stage in the crypto market in the past 24 hours; the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting. 

Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady Amid Uncertainty

The outcome of the latest Fed meeting can be divided into six key decisions. First, the Federal Reserve opted to maintain interest rates at their current level, keeping the borrowing rate in a range between 4.25% and 4.5% for the second consecutive meeting. This decision is part of a continued pause in the Fed’s tightening cycle. 

Secondly, the Fed noted that uncertainty surrounding the economy has increased, and third, the Fed’s updated projections were the shift in expectations for rate cuts in 2025. The median forecast suggests 50 basis points of cuts for the year, but a growing number of Fed officials are less convinced that rate reductions will be necessary. In December, only one official anticipated no rate cuts in 2025. However, there’s now a more divided outlook, and that number has now risen to four, as noted in a post on social media platform X by analysts at The Kobeissi Letter.

Beyond interest rates, the Fed revised its economic growth projections downward for 2025, suggesting that policymakers see slower expansion ahead. This adjustment comes alongside an increase in the Fed’s inflation forecast for the same period, reflecting concerns about price pressures persisting longer than previously anticipated. With inflation remaining a key focus, the central bank is treading carefully as it evaluates the right time to pivot toward a looser monetary stance.

Fourthly, the Fed announced that it would slow the pace of its balance sheet runoff beginning in April. This is alongside a sharp reduction in the Fed’s 2025 growth projections and a markup in their 2025 inflation forecast.

Implications For Crypto Markets And Digital Assets

For the crypto industry, the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady and its mixed messaging on future cuts introduce a dynamic situation to Bitcoin and others. The fact that the Fed is still concerned about inflation and economic uncertainty shows that the path to more accommodative policies regarding the crypto industry may not be as smooth. 

However, if the Fed stays hesitant to cut rates and economic growth slows as projected, digital assets may face headwinds later in the year, which may slow down the predicted growth by crypto analysts.

Crypto
Overall crypto market at $2.75 trillion | Source: TOTAL on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from Tradingview.com



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