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A report by Chainalysis reveals that cryptocurrency payments to alleged human trafficking networks surged by 85% in 2025, totaling hundreds of millions in transactions traced on public blockchains.
The U.S.-based blockchain analytics company noted that the majority of this activity was linked to a growing criminal ecosystem in Southeast Asia, particularly involving scam compounds, illegal gambling enterprises, and Chinese-language money laundering operations.
Chainalysis categorized the crypto activity linked to human traffickers into three main areas: international escort and prostitution services, labor recruitment for scam operations, and vendors of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
While the blockchain data indicates a concentration of these services in Southeast Asia, payments came from various regions, including North and South America, Europe, and Australia, underscoring the global scale of the issue.
Cybercriminals have increasingly utilized messaging platforms like Telegram to promote their services, recruit victims, and facilitate payments. Analyst Tom McLouth emphasized that the shift from traditional darknet forums to messaging apps enables these networks to scale operations more efficiently.
The transparency provided by public blockchains offers unprecedented visibility into criminal financial flows, which helps disrupt these activities. McLouth highlighted the substantial nature of the financial scale involved and the underlying physical harm exceeding any monetary figures.
Escort and Prostitution Networks
Analysis of blockchain data indicates that many transactions arise from organized networks. Although some escort services operate legally, distinct financial behaviors can signal potential trafficking activities.
The report found that these networks often turn to stablecoins and Chinese-language money laundering groups for rapid cash-out processes, with an estimated $16.1 billion in illicit crypto flows in 2025.
International escort services accounted for a notable portion of higher-value transfers, with almost half exceeding $10,000. Advertisements for cross-border travel packages and tiered pricing structures corroborate the professionalism behind such operations.
Labor Recruiters and Scam Compounds
Another category involves “labor placement agents” who recruit individuals for scam compounds, typically located in Southeast Asia, engaged in crypto-based scams. Recruitment fees range from $1,000 to $10,000 in cryptocurrency.
Potential job postings on Telegram promise lucrative salaries for roles in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar, yet victims often find themselves trapped in fraudulent activities like romance scams.
Chainalysis noted connections between recruitment channels and wallets tied to illegal gambling and money laundering, indicating that trafficking is often interwoven with broader criminal activities.
CSAM Vendors
Chainalysis also monitored networks involved in child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which exhibited organized financial patterns with different payment structures. Around half of these transactions were below $100, indicating subscription-based models.
Funds from mainstream cryptocurrencies are reportedly moving into privacy-focused assets such as Monero and instant exchange services.
Furthermore, overlaps between CSAM subscription services and extremist communities targeting minors underline the cyclical nature of abuse financed through cryptocurrency.
Chainalysis helped identify a significant CSAM website on the dark web, revealing extensive use of over 5,800 cryptocurrency addresses and generating considerable revenue. As crypto adoption grows, its use in trafficking activities is expected to continue rising despite ongoing enforcement improvements.
