Chinese-language crypto networks drive $82B laundering surge

Crypto money laundering soared to $82B in 2025, up from $10B in 2020. Chinese-language networks now handle 20% of illicit flows, processing $16.1B last year as laundering services grow more sophisticated.

Cryptocurrency money laundering has surged dramatically over the past five years. Global illicit crypto flows rose from $10 billion in 2020 to over $82 billion in 2025, according to reports from Chainalysis and NS3.AI. Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs) have become a dominant force, now responsible for about 20% of all known laundering activity. In 2025 alone, these networks processed $16.1 billion in illicit crypto, operating through more than 1,800 active wallets and various service types, including brokers, money mule networks, informal OTC desks, and platforms trading tainted crypto at a discount. The professionalization and open operation of laundering services—especially on messaging platforms like Telegram—have fueled this rapid growth. Inflows to CMLNs have increased thousands of times faster than to centralized exchanges or DeFi protocols, as criminals increasingly avoid venues where funds can be frozen. These trends pose significant challenges for regulators and law enforcement worldwide.