Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The analysis of the chain estimates that scams related to cryptocurrency and fraudulent activities may have caused losses of more than $ 17 billion in 2025.
The company’s blockchain data also highlighted a worrying trend, where scammers are increasingly turning to impersonation schemes to trick unsuspecting users. According to the report, spoofing scams have increased by about 1,400% year on year.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Cryptocurrency crime will reach new levels in 2025, and losses could exceed $17 billion
Register the year 2025 as Worst year ever Crime related to cryptocurrency, with a notable increase in hacking and fraud, cast a heavy shadow on the industry. Chain Analysis stated in its latest report that fraud in cryptocurrency received at least $14 billion on the chain during the year.
The company noted that this represents a sharp increase from $9.9 billion Tentatively brought back for 2024. However, the report revealed that this number had grown to $12 billion at the time of the recalculation.
That review showed a high match with Previous chain analysis predictions $12.4 billion this year. Consequently, the Chain Analysis suggested that the final count for 2025 is likely to grow further.
“Based on historical trends, where our annual estimates grow by an average of 24% between reporting periods, we expect the 2025 figure could be more than $17 billion, as more illicit wallet addresses are identified in the coming months,” the report said.
The Chain Analysis also reported a sharp increase in the average value of fraudulent payments, growing from $782 in 2024 to $2,764 in 2025. This growth represents a year-over-year increase of approximately 253%.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Chainalysis highlights the alarming growth in impersonation-based cryptocurrency scams
The report particularly drew attention to impersonation scams as a “particularly worrying trend”, noting that they have increased dramatically in number and impact. These usually include charts Scammers impersonating people Individuals, companies or trusted platforms to trick victims into sending cryptocurrency or revealing their sensitive wallet information.
Chain analysis reports that spoofing tactics have seen a staggering annual growth of nearly 1,400%… with the average severity (ie amount) of payments sent to these groups increasing by more than 600%.
The report highlighted the “E-ZPass” phishing campaign as an example. The attackers targeted Americans through text messages impersonating government toll services.
Another case included Impersonation of trading platforms. Scammers impersonated Coinbase customer support and stole nearly $16 million from victims.
Sponsored
Sponsored
High yield investment programs (HYIPs) and “pig fattening” operations remain the dominant fraud categories by volume, ChainAnalysis noted. However, fraudsters are now using artificial intelligence tools, sophisticated SMS phishing services, and sophisticated money laundering networks to target victims more effectively than ever before.
The team stated that traditional fraud classifications have become less discriminating as fraudsters incorporate multiple tactics into their operations. For example, many hog-fattening and investment scams involve elements of impersonation, social engineering, and even technical or portfolio-focused scams.
How does AI increase the efficiency and scale of cryptocurrency scams?
ChainAnalysis also examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in fraudulent operations. According to the company’s analysis, fraud groups that have chain links with AI service providers show significantly higher operational efficiency compared to those without such links.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Scams linked to AI have been shown to generate an average of about $3.2 million per transaction, compared to about $719,000 for scams without these links.
These operations also showed a stronger performance on a daily basis, with an average daily income of $4,838, compared to $518 for other fraudulent operations, and processed a much larger number of transactions per day on average.
These metrics indicate both higher operational efficiency and broader access to victims, ChainAnalysis said. The growing volume of transactions suggests that AI allows fraudsters to reach and manage more victims at once, a trend that aligns with the increasing industrialization of scams we observe. In turn, the growing volume of fraud suggests that AI is also making fraud more convincing.
These trends point to a future in which almost all fraudulent operations are likely to incorporate AI in some way, ChainAnalysis warned.
