Human trafficking is often hidden behind fake job offers, escort advertisements, or private chat groups. Victims are then moved across borders, forced into exploitation, and cut off from help. What’s becoming clearer, according to new research, is how often cryptocurrency now sits at the center of the financial trail.
A recent report by Chainalysis found that cryptocurrency payments linked to suspected human trafficking networks rose by 85% in 2025. The firm traced hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions on public blockchains, connecting wallets to escort services, labor recruitment schemes tied to scam compounds, and networks distributing child sexual abuse material.
At the same time, the report also stated “Analysis reveals global reach of Southeast Asian trafficking operations, with significant cryptocurrency flows from destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Australia.” This simply means that while much of the operational activity appeared concentrated in Southeast Asia, payments flowed in from other continents, highlighting the global reach of these networks.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
Most of these compounds often recruit workers through misleading job offers, promising customer service or data entry roles abroad. Once victims arrive, they may be forced to carry out online fraud schemes, including fake crypto investment scams and romance scams targeting victims overseas.
Recruitment fees are frequently paid in cryptocurrency, sometimes ranging from one thousand to ten thousand dollars, matching amounts advertised in messaging channels. Investigators observed that these recruitment wallets often intersected with addresses previously linked to illegal gambling and money laundering networks, suggesting that trafficking activity is not isolated but intertwined with broader criminal ecosystems.
The report also examined crypto payments tied to international escort and prostitution services. While not all sex work is trafficking, Chainalysis identified patterns that suggest highly organized operations rather than independent actors. Nearly half of the transactions connected to certain international escort networks exceeded $10,000, with some listings advertising cross-border travel packages and VIP services priced above $30,000.
Researchers noted repeated payment patterns between clusters of wallets, a sign of structured financial operations. Stablecoins were commonly used, allowing networks to reduce volatility risk while moving funds quickly. Some funds were routed through Chinese-language money laundering groups that operate through messaging platforms, helping criminals convert digital assets into usable cash.
Exploitation and Encrypted Channels
Another area of concern highlighted in the report involves networks distributing child sexual abuse material. These groups often rely on subscription models, with many transactions under $100, reflecting low per-user pricing inside private channels. Funds are sometimes moved into privacy-focused cryptocurrencies such as Monero or routed through instant exchanges that require little identity verification, making tracing more complex.
Chainalysis said it assisted law enforcement in identifying one of the largest such websites operating on the dark web, which used thousands of cryptocurrency addresses and generated significant revenue over several years. The findings underline how digital payments can both enable criminal activity and provide a record that investigators can analyze.
One paradox of crypto is that public blockchains offer transparency. Every transaction is recorded, even if wallet owners aren't immediately identifiable. Chainalysis argues that this visibility provides opportunities for disruption and enforcement. At the same time, as cryptocurrency adoption grows, so does its use in both legal and illegal markets.
Jemi Motesho
