"Virtual Asset Money Laundering Reached $1.3 Billion Last Year...280% Increase from Previous Year"

On the 13th (local time), the cryptocurrency specialized media CryptoSlate reported, citing a report from blockchain security firm PeckShield, that the scale of virtual asset money laundering last year reached approximately $1.3 billion, marking a 280% increase from the previous year ($342 million).

The report stated, "As the virtual asset market boomed in 2024, money laundering activities expanded during this period," adding that "the price of Bitcoin (BTC) more than doubled from $42,000 in January 2024 to over $100,000 in December."

Additionally, it noted, "While the transparency of blockchain allows for more efficient tracking of funds compared to traditional financial systems, it has not completely prevented crime," and added that "hackers are utilizing techniques such as chain hopping and coin mixing for money laundering."

Meanwhile, as of 02:05 on the 14th, BTC is trading at $91,456 on the Binance Tether (USDT) market, down 3.83% from the previous day.