Crypto-crimes related to human trafficking grow in Russia
According to a new report by analytics firm Chainalysis, crypto flows to suspected human trafficking services grew 85% in 2025 compared to the previous year. These alarming data indicate an exacerbation of the problem of human exploitation using digital technologies in Russia.
Key findings from the Chainalysis report:
- Suspected trafficking-related crypto flows reached hundreds of millions of dollars.
- One of the identified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) related sites received over $530,000 in cryptocurrency.
- The growth in crypto-crimes is associated with the overall increase in the use of digital assets in Russia, including in the shadow sector.
These data underscore the need for thorough regulation of the cryptocurrency industry to counter the use of digital money for criminal purposes, including those related to human trafficking. Authorities and law enforcement agencies should prioritize this problem and increase efforts to suppress such criminal schemes.