Cross-chain criminal and high-risk crypto activity has surged past an estimated $21.8 billion as of May 2025, according to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic – up from Elliptic’s previous estimates of $7 billion in 2023 and $4 billion in 2022.

According to Elliptic’s 2025 Cross-Chain Crime Report, approximately 33% of complex cross-chain investigations involve more than three blockchains, while 27% span five or more, and 20% span more than ten.

One of the biggest groups responsible for this illicit activity is North Korea, which is linked to about 12% of the $21.8 billion total. Elliptic says North Korean hackers are using more advanced cross-chain methods to hide stolen crypto.

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