A #chainalysis report reveals that the United States is losing ground in stablecoin adoption due to regulatory uncertainty, even as demand for US dollar-backed #Stablecoins soars globally. In 2024, stablecoin transactions on US platforms fell below 40%, down from 50% last year, while non-US platforms surpassed 60%, driven by emerging markets like Argentina and Turkey. Tether’s CEO #PaoloArdoino noted that demand is strongest in regions with unstable currencies. With the US lagging on #stablecoin regulations, other regions are attracting stablecoin projects, putting pressure on US policymakers to step up and protect its leadership in digital finance.
#MemeCoinTrending $USDC

The cryptocurrency industry remains an attractive target for cybercrime. Chainalysis’ “The 2024 Crypto Crime Report” shows a decline in cryptocurrency-related criminal activity. The amount of digital assets received at illegal addresses fell to $24.2 billion last year, compared to $39.6 billion recorded in 2022.
However, not everything is as good as it seems at first glance. Analysts’ data indicate the growth of darknet market revenues and frauds related to novels. We will discuss this and other report highlights in today’s article.
The Growth Of the Darknet Market
Profits earned through darknet marketplaces totaled at least $1.7 billion in 2023, up from 2022, when the government shut down the world’s largest darknet marketplace, Hydra. While no marketplace has taken Hydra’s place, the report found that smaller markets thrive by serving specific niches and developing more “specialized areas.”
Analysts note that the Mega Darknet market is leading the way with more than $500 billion in cryptocurrency inflows. However, the revenues generated by darknet markets have not yet returned to the peak levels seen in the Hydra era.
“We expect law enforcement agencies to continue to investigate and dismantle darknet markets, especially given that many offer fentanyl products for sale.” the report notes.
Funding of Criminal Organizations
Chainalysis analysts note that assessing terrorist financing is extremely important, but also challenging. The use of cryptocurrencies by criminal organizations accounts for a small share of illegal transactions, but this issue is a constant concern.
The ability to trace transactions makes cryptocurrencies a less favorable tool for financing the activities of illegal groups.
A comprehensive approach that includes not only intelligence but also regulatory and ethical considerations, as well as factual accuracy and due diligence, is essential. Cryptocurrency exchanges also play an important role in this regard. They have a strict anti-money laundering policy and actively comply with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF).
The report also describes how terrorist organizations use cryptocurrency transactions. It notes that financial companies have become key intermediaries for illegal cryptocurrency transactions for groups such as Hezbollah.
“Government agencies with access to off-chain intelligence are more likely to detect these activities, and can leverage blockchain analysis tools to further investigate these financial flows,” wrote Chainalysis.
Scale of Crypto-Romance Fraud
The report says that income from thefts decreased by 29.2%, but fraud tactics related to romantic relationships are becoming more common.
“This is especially concerning when we factor in that romance scams have the worst impact on victims of all scam types, based on average payment size,” Chainalysis wrote.
The company’s data shows that the average payout in romance scams was $4,593. Given that victims often make multiple payments to the same address, the average loss per victim is usually much higher.
Artificial Intelligence As a New Tool For Crypto Fraud
According to Cryptonews, Eric Jardine, head of cybercrime research at Chainalysis, summarized the growth and decline of illegal blockchain activity in 2023 and predicted what tactics criminals will use next.
He noted that discussions are already underway on how new technologies can affect cryptocurrency crime, especially large language models (LLMs).
Artificial intelligence could have threatening implications for romance fraud, also known as “pig butchering scams”. They start with seemingly innocent contacts that then develop into fabricated relationships that the fraudster uses to gain financial gain.
While artificial intelligence benefits the crypto industry, it can also be a dangerous tool. Romantic fraud is not the only thing that AI can threaten. There have already been cases when documents created by artificial intelligence bypassed KYC checks. Such situations not only cause security problems but also create new “opportunities” for fraudsters.
Moreover, the creation of deepfakes by artificial intelligence has long been a serious problem. There have been numerous cases when thieves used deepfakes to steal user funds. Therefore, even with all the advantages of integrating AI and blockchain, one should be vigilant and not forget about the downside.
Summary
Even though the Chainalysis report showed a decrease in criminal activity, the situation is still not safe. After all, despite the decline, revenues from darknet and romance fraud continue to flourish. In addition, a new danger for cryptocurrency users is the growing threat from artificial intelligence. Despite the positive developments in reducing cryptocurrency crime, several problems and threats remain relevant to the industry.
#chainalysis #AISecurity #ArtificialInteligence

Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is quickly becoming a hotbed for cryptocurrency activity, challenging traditional financial systems and offering new opportunities for economic growth. Despite its relatively small global market share, MENA is experiencing rapid adoption rates and regulatory innovations that are attracting international attention.
MENA's Crypto Market at a Glance
Recent data paints an intriguing picture of MENA's cryptocurrency market:
The region processed approximately $338.7 billion in crypto transactions from July 2023 to June 2024.MENA now represents 7.5% of global cryptocurrency transaction volume.Countries like Türkiye and Morocco are climbing the ranks in global crypto adoption indices.A whopping 93% of crypto transfers in the region involve amounts over $10,000, indicating strong institutional participation.
DeFi Revolution: Banking the Unbanked
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is gaining significant traction in MENA, particularly in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This trend is especially noteworthy given that less than half of adults in non-high-income MENA countries had access to traditional banking services as of 2021.
DeFi's promise of financial services without intermediaries could be a game-changer for financial inclusion in the region. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeFi platforms can potentially provide banking services to millions of unbanked individuals, fostering economic empowerment and growth.
Regulatory Landscape: UAE Leads the Charge
The UAE has emerged as a pioneer in crypto regulation within the MENA region. The country's multi-faceted approach includes:
Federal-level oversight of virtual asset services by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).Regulation of payment token services by the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE).Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) shaping the local market.
This comprehensive regulatory framework is attracting global crypto businesses and setting a precedent for other countries in the region.
Türkiye, MENA's largest crypto market, is also making strides in regulation. Recent amendments to its Capital Markets Law now include provisions for crypto assets, aiming to enhance market integrity and protect consumers.
Stablecoins: A Haven in Economic Uncertainty
Stablecoins are gaining popularity across MENA, especially in countries facing economic challenges. Türkiye, for instance, leads the world in stablecoin trading volume as a percentage of GDP. With inflation rates consistently above 50%, many Turks are turning to stablecoins as a hedge against currency devaluation.
This trend extends beyond Türkiye, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE also seeing increased interest in stablecoins and various altcoins, challenging the dominance of traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether.
Looking to the Future
As MENA's crypto market continues to evolve, several key trends are emerging:
DeFi Expansion: The growth of decentralized finance platforms could revolutionize financial inclusion in the region.Regulatory Development: More countries are likely to follow the UAE's lead in creating comprehensive crypto regulations.Stablecoin Adoption: The use of stablecoins as a hedge against economic instability is expected to grow.Institutional Involvement: Traditional financial institutions, especially in Gulf countries, are increasingly entering the crypto space.
The MENA region is rapidly establishing itself as a significant player in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem. With its innovative regulatory approaches, growing DeFi sector, and increasing adoption rates, MENA is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital finance. As blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies become more integral to the global financial landscape, the region's fast-growing markets are likely to attract even more international interest and investment.
As we move forward, it will be fascinating to watch how MENA's unique blend of traditional finance and cutting-edge crypto innovation continues to evolve, potentially offering new models for economic growth and financial inclusion that could be applied globally.

#MENA #Stablecoins #türkiye #chainalysis #UAE