Cryptocurrency crime in 2021 hits all-time high in value – Chainalysis

Cryptocurrency-linked crime surged to a record high last year in terms of value, with illegal addresses receiving $14 billion in digital currencies, up 79% from $7.8 billion in 2020, according to a blog from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis released on Thursday. As of early 2022, Chainalysis said illicit addresses already hold over $10 billion worth of cryptocurrencies, with the majority of this held by wallets associated with crypto theft. That said, illicit activities’ share of total crypto transaction volume remained low at just 0.15% in 2021.