How global sanctions are reshaping illicit crypto activity

Chainalysis recorded $154 billion in illicit inflows, driven largely by sanctioned entities. Russia’s ruble-backed A7A5 token processed over $93.3 billion in transactions within a year. Illicit transactions remain under 1% of total on-chain activity despite rapid growth. Illicit cryptocurrency activity expanded rapidly in 2025, not because of a sudden spike in everyday crypto crime…