Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) transacted more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency to avoid sanctions and fuel cybercriminal operations, according to Chainalysis. The figure could be higher, given that it only accounts for sanctions designations from the US.
Iran’s situation reflects an exponential rise in illicit cryptocurrency transactions, driven by other sanctions from countries like Russia and North Korea.
Iran, Russia Drive On-Chain Illicit Growth
Crypto crime surged to unprecedented levels in 2025. According to data compiled by Chainalysis, illicit cryptocurrency transactions increased by 162% compared to the previous year, totaling at least $154 billion.
Sanctioned jurisdictions have significantly expanded their reliance on cryptocurrencies as a means of bypassing financial restrictions.
In Iran’s case, affiliated proxy groups and entities labeled as terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, have increasingly turned to digital assets to transfer and cash out funds.
The West Asian country wasn’t the only one to seed its illicit crypto economy surge.
According to Chainalysis, Russia accounted for the largest share of illicit on-chain activity. This trend intensified after the state introduced its ruble-pegged A7A5 token last year. In total, transactions linked to Russia’s new stablecoin reached at least $93 billion.
That volume alone emerged as the primary factor behind an almost sevenfold increase in crypto activity among sanctioned entities.
North Korean hackers have long been a persistent presence in the cyber threat environment. The past year marked their most damaging period to date, both in terms of the value stolen and the growing sophistication of their attack and laundering methods.
Illicitly obtained assets continued to pose a significant risk to the crypto ecosystem in 2025. Hackers linked to the DPRK were responsible for approximately $2 billion in stolen funds.
At the same time, China’s role in illicit activity introduced an unexpected dimension to the overall landscape.
Crypto Crime Extends Into Physical Violence
According to a Chainalysis report published Thursday, Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) emerged as a dominant force in 2025.
These organized groups accelerated the diversification and professionalization of on-chain crime. They now offer specialized services, including laundering-as-a-service and supporting criminal infrastructure.
Building on models such as Huione Guarantee, these networks evolved into full-service criminal operations. They support fraud, scams, North Korean hacking proceeds, sanctions evasion, and terrorist financing.
Beyond crypto’s role in illicit activity, the report stressed the increased correlation between digital assets and violent crime.
The blockchain analytics firm stressed the growing connections between on-chain activity and cases of human trafficking operations and attacks involving physical coercion.
Although Chainalysis clarified that illicit transactions still represent a small share of total crypto activity, the urgency of protecting the ecosystem’s security and integrity has reached unprecedented levels.
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