TL;DR
- In 2023, the volume of illicit cryptocurrency transactions decreased significantly, but the TRON blockchain emerged as a dominant platform for illicit activities.
- Funds sent to sanctioned entities and hacking profits decreased noticeably, while dark market sales of illicit drugs and the use of Tether in terrorist financing remained concerning.
- Despite efforts to reduce illicit activities, the cryptocurrency landscape remains complex and requires continued vigilance.
In 2023, the cryptocurrency world witnessed a number of significant changes in the realm of illicit activities.
According to data from TRM Labs, although the total volume of illicit transactions decreased by approximately a third, reaching $34.8 billion, certain aspects of this illicit market deserve special attention.
One of the most notable findings was the dominant role of the TRON blockchain in the landscape of illicit activities.
The TRON blockchain was the source of 45% of all illicit transactions, experiencing a 41% increase compared to the previous year.
TRON’s accessibility and speed made it a point of attraction for perpetrators, facilitating money laundering and other fraudulent activities.
Despite the overall decline, transactions targeting sanctioned entities also fell sharply to $16.2 billion in 2023, compared to $25.4 billion in 2022.
This increase in TRON coincided with a significant increase in sanctions designations, tripling the figures from the previous year
On the other hand, revenue from hacks decreased by more than 50%, reaching $1.8 billion, indicating a decrease in the effectiveness of cyber attacks.
Despite the deceleration observed in the growth rate of fentanyl sales, the aggregate volume of illicit drug transactions conducted on the dark web witnessed a significant surge, reaching a staggering $1.6 billion.
This notable increase underscores the persistent and pervasive nature of the illicit drug trade within the shadowy corners of the internet.
Additionally, the report highlighted the crucial role of Tether (USDT) in terrorist financing, with a 125% increase in the number of TRON addresses receiving this cryptocurrency.
These findings reflect the complexity and constant evolution of the illicit cryptocurrency landscape.
As regulators and authorities intensify their efforts to combat these activities, it is clear that continued vigilance and effective measures are required to address these ever-changing challenges.
