Blockchain Intelligence Firm TRM Labs Reports Increase In Stolen Assets Frozen In Past Year
Wrapping Up a Landmark Year for Crypto Crime Fighting
In the fast-evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, staying one step ahead of criminals is no small feat. As 2025 draws to a close, leading blockchain intelligence firm
From exposing dark web scams to dismantling violent robbery rings,
‘ 2025 By the Numbers: A Year of Impact
While exact figures underscore the
- Uncovering online exploitation and fraud schemes.
- Dismantling violent criminal networks targeting crypto holders.
- Disrupting sophisticated money laundering operations.
- Returning millions in stolen cryptocurrency to victims.
These efforts demonstrate how blockchain intelligence has evolved from a niche tool to an essential weapon in global law enforcement arsenals.
Real-World Wins: How Blockchain Intelligence Cracked Major Cases
Czech Republic: Busting Dark Web Crypto Scams
Investigators from the National Organized Crime Agency (NCOZ) in the Czech Republic used
Coinbase and FBI: Dismantling Violent Home Invasion Rings
In the United States, Coinbase’s Global Intelligence team, powered by
Kristen Spaeth, Global Intelligence Manager at Coinbase, led the effort to follow the funds through “complex laundering paths” and link them to real identities. The result? Arrests of 14 suspects, multiple convictions, and a staggering 47-year sentence for ringleader Remy St. Felix—one of the longest prison terms ever for a crypto-related offense.
UK Grindr Gang Takedown
Across the Atlantic, Coinbase collaborated with West Midlands Police to build a case against a violent gang using fake Grindr profiles to lure, assault, and rob victims of their crypto. On-chain analysis traced the stolen funds directly to the suspects, bolstering the prosecution. All five attackers were convicted, receiving a combined sentence exceeding 78 years.
Arizona Rideshare Robbery Scams
In Scottsdale, Arizona, police tackled a clever scam where a fraudster posed as a rideshare driver, tricking victims into handing over their phones. This allowed the thief to drain over $300,000 from crypto wallets. Combining traditional policing with
These stories underscore a key trend: as crypto adoption grows, so do targeted physical attacks. Blockchain forensics is proving indispensable in connecting the dots.
Product Innovations Driving the
Behind these successes are cutting-edge tools. In 2025,
- Expanded Blockchain Support: Added 23 new networks, such as Canton Network, Hyperliquid, Hedera, Zksync, Sui, Sei, XDC, and XRPL EVM. They’re now averaging over two chains per month.
- Standardized Coverage: Every new chain gets core features like transaction monitoring, address labeling, risk scoring, and entity clustering from day one.
- Custom Entities: Enhanced clustering of addresses and entities for deeper aggregated insights.
- Faster Decisions: Tools that slash the time from data discovery to action, enabling seamless public-private sector coordination.
These upgrades have directly contributed to the
Regulatory Tailwinds and Future Outlook
2025 wasn’t just about tech—it was the year regulatory clarity fueled market momentum. Under the Trump administration, U.S. policies set a pro-innovation tone globally, accelerating crypto regulation maturity.
A major milestone was the launch of the Beacon Network, the world’s first real-time crypto crime response network. This public-private partnership exemplifies collaborative disruption.
“This year, we saw global private sector organizations and law enforcement agencies join forces to launch Beacon Network… I’m inspired by our customers—who are on the frontlines every day disrupting global criminal and money laundering networks, recovering stolen funds, and helping victims rebuild trust in the financial system. Looking ahead to 2026, I’m encouraged by the continued impacts from private-public disruptions, as well as the industry’s use of AI as another tool in our arsenal to combat AI-enabled crime.”
— Esteban Castaño, CEO and Co-Founder of
With AI integration on the horizon, expect even more sophisticated defenses against emerging threats like deepfake scams and automated laundering.
Why This Matters for the Crypto Ecosystem
The
For exchanges, wallets, and regulators, investing in blockchain intelligence isn’t optional; it’s essential. These advancements protect users, deter criminals, and pave the way for mainstream finance integration.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we enter 2026, the momentum is clear. Expect more cross-chain coverage, AI-powered threat detection, and global networks like Beacon to amplify results. The message from
Stay tuned for more updates on how blockchain intelligence is reshaping the fight against illicit finance.
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