Criminal Crypto Use Is Becoming 'Increasingly Sophisticated', Says Europol

Europol's Burkhard Mühl warned that the misuse of cryptocurrency for criminal activities is becoming increasingly sophisticated, straining national law enforcement resources. This statement came during the 9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Crypto Assets, which highlighted the need for public-private cooperation in combating crypto-related crimes. A Chainalysis report estimated that $40.9 billion was received by illicit cryptocurrency addresses in 2024, even as Europol conducted major operations against cybercrime, including dismantling a network that processed over $330,000 through cryptocurrency. Investigators emphasized the challenges posed by the global nature of these crimes, including varying results from different blockchain analytics firms and a lack of standardized training and methodologies. The need for improved dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders was noted as crucial to enhancing cross-border investigations and developing effective standards. Key discussions also focused on the gaps in blockchain intelligence training, which is often influenced by private sector solutions.

Source 🔗