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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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Monero’s XMR Rockets 40% as XRP Leads Crypto Majors Gains

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Shaurya is the Co-Leader of the CoinDesk tokens and data team in Asia with a focus on crypto derivatives, DeFi, market microstructure, and protocol analysis.

Shaurya holds over $1,000 in BTC, ETH, SOL, AVAX, SUSHI, CRV, NEAR, YFI, YFII, SHIB, DOGE, USDT, USDC, BNB, MANA, MLN, LINK, XMR, ALGO, VET, CAKE, AAVE, COMP, ROOK, TRX, SNX, RUNE, FTM, ZIL, KSM, ENJ, CKB, JOE, GHST, PERP, BTRFLY, OHM, BANANA, ROME, BURGER, SPIRIT, and ORCA.

He provides over $1,000 to liquidity pools on Compound, Curve, SushiSwap, PancakeSwap, BurgerSwap, Orca, AnySwap, SpiritSwap, Rook Protocol, Yearn Finance, Synthetix, Harvest, Redacted Cartel, OlympusDAO, Rome, Trader Joe, and SUN.





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Expert Reveals Why The Ethereum-To-Bitcoin Ratio Is Falling

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The Ethereum-to-Bitcoin ratio has fallen to its lowest level in five years after a dismal Ethereum price performance. As investors try to wrap their heads around the grim metric, Taproot Wizards co-founder Eric Wall has explained the reason behind the steep drop.

Eric Wall Highlights Reasons For ETH/BTC Ratio Collapse

Taproot Wizards co-founder Eric Wall has identified a raft of reasons behind the decline of the ETH/BTC ratio in 2025. The cryptocurrency expert revealed the factors behind the falling ETH/BTC ratio in an X post, hinging the bulk of the blame on Ethereum’s recent price performance.

The ETH/BTC ratio slumped to a five-year low after Ethereum bucked the trend of following Bitcoin on a rally after the halving event. While Bitcoin price rose to cross the $100K mark, Ethereum price has tumbled below $2,000 to reach lows of $1,400.

For Wall, one factor affecting the ETH/BTC ratio appears to be Ethereum’s position in a competitive landscape. Since its launch, several blockchains have cropped up to snag market share from the largest altcoin, offering cheaper fees and faster processing times.

The cryptocurrency expert argues that the absence of a Saylor-like buyer for ETH is playing its role in the decline of the ETH/BTC ratio. Michael Saylor’s BTC purchases have contributed to the asset’s performance, but Wall argues that Ethereum does not have a consistent buyer.

Wall adds that Bitcoin and gold have evolved into wartime assets in the current macroeconomic climate, while ETH is considered a “peacetime asset.” Gold has surged to new highs, sparking optimism that Bitcoin will follow in the same path for a similar rally, while the Ethereum price continues its unimpressive run.

The Merge Is Not Responsible For The Ratio Decline

Eric Wall notes that Ethereum’s Merge event is not responsible for the ETH/BTC slump, contrary to popular sentiment. Ethereum migrated from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake in 2022, with the ETH/BTC ratio tanking since the Merge.

“The ETHBTC ratio did not go down because of The Merge,” said Eric Wall.

However, pseudonymous cryptocurrency analyst Beanie argues that the Merge is the primary reason for the price decline. Rebuffing the speculation, Wall opines that Ethereum’s layer 2 tokens triggered network fragmentation after botching the “asset value capture narrative,” affecting the ETH/BTC ratio.

“Ethereum also stagnated into a depressingly small number of defi primitives relative to what past expectations were,” added Wall.

Ethereum is flashing signs of brilliance after ETH trading volume spiked to $17.5 billion in less than a day. ETH prices are exchanging hands at nearly 1,800 after an impressive 12% rally that saw it outperform SOL and XRP

 

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Aliyu Pokima

Aliyu Pokima is a seasoned cryptocurrency and emerging technologies journalist with a knack for covering needle-moving stories in the space. Aliyu delivers breaking news stories, regulatory updates, and insightful analysis with depth and precision. When he’s not poring over charts or following leads, Aliyu enjoys playing the bass guitar, lifting weights and running marathons.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Tariff Carnage Starting to Fulfill BTC’s ‘Store of Value’ Promise

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April has been a month of extreme volatility and tumultuous times for traders.

From conflicting headlines about President Donald Trump’s tariffs against other nations to total confusion about which assets to seek shelter in, it has been one for the record books.

Amid all the confusion, when traditional “haven assets” failed to act as safe places to park money, one bright spot emerged that might have surprised some market participants: bitcoin.

“Historically, cash (the US dollar), bonds (US Treasuries), the Swiss Franc, and gold have fulfilled that role [safe haven], with bitcoin edging in on some of that territory,” said NYDIG Research in a note.

Safe haven asset performance (NYDIG Research)

Safe haven asset performance (NYDIG Research)

NYDIG’s data showed that while gold and Swiss Franc had been consistent safe-haven winners, since ‘Liberation Day’—when President Trump announced sweeping tariff hikes on April 2, kicking off extreme volatility in the market—bitcoin has been added to the list.

“Bitcoin has acted less like a liquid levered version of levered US equity beta and more like the non-sovereign issued store of value that it is,” NYDIG wrote.

Zooming out, it seems that as the “sell America” trade gains momentum, investors are taking notice of bitcoin and the original promise of the biggest cryptocurrency.

“Though the connection is still tentative, bitcoin appears to be fulfilling its original promise as a non-sovereign store of value, designed to thrive in times like these,” NYDIG added.

Read more: Gold and Bonds’ Safe Haven Allure May be Fading With Bitcoin Emergence





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