European police sound the alarm: Crypto crime has become a sophisticated tool for committing offenses

NewPumpamentals · 2025-11-22T12:15:19+00:00

Europol has issued a warning, noting that digital asset crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and concealed. According to the report, crypto transaction volume in 2024 has reached $40.9 billion, involving numerous money laundering and fraud cases. Criminals are using anonymous wallets, privacy coins, and cross-border scams, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them. Europol calls for unified blockchain analysis standards, enhanced international cooperation, and law enforcement training to address this serious challenge.

NewPumpamentals

2025-11-22 12:15:19

Abstract generation in progress

Just now, the European law enforcement agency (Europol) issued a major warning: digital asset crime is no longer a minor issue—it is becoming increasingly professional and covert.

The numbers look a bit scary

According to Chainalysis’s 2025 crypto crime report:

Illicit crypto transaction volume in 2024: $40.9 billion (this is just the official figure; the real number may be higher)
Cases solved by European police this year:
- Latvia money laundering network: $3.3 million
- Secret banking system: $23 million
- Investment scam: more than 5,000 victims lost $540 million

What tactics are criminals using?

Anonymous wallets + privacy coins—traditional tracking methods are overwhelmed
Upgraded mixing services—money laundering efficiency increases by 20% each year
Violent robberies—France has had more than 10 “wrench attacks” this year (direct violent coercion to surrender private keys)
Cross-border scams—US victims are being remotely targeted by overseas groups

Why are the police so frustrated?

Europol chief Mühl complains:

Different on-chain analytics firms have inconsistent data
No unified standard for wallet tracing methods
Law enforcement training levels vary greatly, with too much reliance on private tools
The pseudo-anonymity of blockchain makes cross-border pursuit a nightmare

What’s next?

Europol calls for: ✓ Unifying blockchain analysis standards
✓ Strengthening international cooperation and intelligence sharing
✓ Establishing an independent and neutral law enforcement training system
✓ Public-private cooperation, but with stronger oversight

Core data: Illicit addresses received $40.9 billion last year, but this is just the tip of the iceberg—the real numbers for drug trading, ransomware, etc. could be several times higher.

What do you think? Is the transparency and anonymity of blockchain really helping the bad guys?

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