Illicit Crypto Flows Rise 160% in 2025 Amid Sanctions, but Their Share Remains Below 1%
Chainalysis estimated that inflows to illicit crypto addresses totaled $154 billion in 2025. This figure is comparable to the combined total for the previous three years.
In 2025, North Korean hackers stole a record $2 billion from the crypto market. In February 2025, Russia began using the ruble-based stablecoin A7A5 and conducted transactions totaling $93.3 billion. Chainalysis also noted the "institutionalization" of cybercrime, the growing influence of China, and an increase in crimes involving physical violence, such as extortion and kidnappings.
Stablecoins accounted for 84% of illicit transaction volume, compared to less than 20% in 2020. The share of $BTC , $ETH , and altcoins in illicit transactions dropped to negligible levels. Worldwide, there are currently 80,000 organizations and individuals under sanctions.
Trump Has No Plans to Pardon Sam Bankman-Fried Despite Crypto Community Support
Donald Trump has acknowledged receiving significant support from the cryptocurrency community during the election. However, he has ruled out the possibility of pardoning Sam Bankman-Fried, the former head of crypto exchange FTX, who was sentenced in March 2024 to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of misappropriating customer funds.
Bankman-Fried’s former girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, is scheduled to be released on January 21. During the trial, she testified against him, including providing details about a $150 million bribe paid to Chinese officials.
Bankman-Fried is currently seeking to reduce his sentence through the U.S. Court of Appeals. If his appeal is denied, he may take his case to the Supreme Court.
According to Polymarket, the peak probability of him receiving a pardon stood at 13.5%. Previously, Trump pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht—whose darknet marketplace used BTC—and former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (“CZ”).