Cryptocurrency Crime 2025: New Report Unveils the True Extent

New research has highlighted the alarming scale of crypto crime in 2025, revealing that an estimated US$17 billion (approximately AU$25 billion) was lost to crypto scams last year. This staggering figure is largely attributed to a dramatic rise in impersonation scams, which surged by 1,400 per cent year over year. Furthermore, the payment values associated with these impersonation scams also saw a significant increase, growing by 600 per cent. The report from Chainalysis underscores the urgent need for awareness and protective measures against such fraudulent activities.

The prevalence of AI-enabled scams is also on the rise, with these sophisticated schemes reportedly generating 4.5 times more revenue for criminals compared to traditional scams. Will Lyne, the head of Economic and Cyber Crime at the UK Metropolitan Police, commented on the growing scale and sophistication of cryptocurrency-related fraud. He noted that organised crime groups are increasingly employing impersonation tactics, advanced online infrastructure, and AI tools to target victims swiftly and effectively. The emergence of industrialised scam operations, utilising digital infrastructures such as deepfakes, further complicates the landscape of cyber crime.