Sanctions evasions using crypto increased by 700% in 2025
According to a new report by analytics firm Chainalysis, the volume of funds moved using cryptocurrencies to evade international sanctions grew by 700% in 2025 compared to the previous year. The main participants in this activity were Russia, Iran and North Korea.
Chainalysis experts report that these countries actively used stablecoins, funds obtained as a result of hacking cryptocurrency wallets, as well as state-controlled cryptocurrency exchanges to withdraw more than $100 billion bypassing financial restrictions.
Such growth indicates that malicious actors are finding more sophisticated ways to use decentralized finance to conceal their activities. Although cryptocurrencies are not an ideal tool for such purposes, they still pose a threat to the effectiveness of international sanctions.
At the same time, regulators and law enforcement agencies around the world are stepping up their efforts to combat the illegal use of cryptocurrencies. Tightening control over the crypto market, as well as the development of blockchain analytics methods, help identify and suppress such schemes.
Expert opinion
The increase in the use of cryptocurrencies to circumvent international sanctions demonstrates the need for a comprehensive approach to regulating this area. Governments and financial institutions will have to strengthen monitoring of blockchain transactions, establish closer cooperation with cryptocurrency companies, and improve legislation.
At the same time, developers of cryptocurrencies and blockchain platforms should pay more attention to compliance issues and anti-money laundering. Only through joint efforts of regulators, law enforcement agencies and the industry itself can the use of cryptocurrencies for criminal purposes be effectively combated.