Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs successfully collaborated with Spanish authorities to freeze cryptocurrency funds tied to an organized European money laundering network.
Collaboration to Disrupt Criminal Network
Spain’s Guardia Civil, in cooperation with blockchain firms Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs, froze $26.4 million in cryptocurrencies linked to criminal activities. The operation was conducted under the T3 Financial Crime Unit, an initiative launched in August 2024 to combat financial crimes.
Through police surveillance, wallets connected to illicit activities were identified. KYC (Know Your Customer) data provided by service providers enabled T3 to carry out its largest coordinated freeze to date, pushing the unit's total frozen funds to $126 million within its first year.
Criminal Network Laundered Profits Across Borders
According to the Guardia Civil’s press release, the criminal network moved millions of dollars across borders using both cash and cryptocurrencies to facilitate money laundering for other criminal groups.
“This operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in fighting money laundering,” a Guardia Civil spokesperson stated.
Tron’s Security Measures Reduce Illegal Activity Volumes
Security measures implemented by Tron reduced illegal transaction volumes on its blockchain by $6 billion. According to TRM Labs, 49% of illicit activity on the Tron network was tied to sanctioned entities, with 32% linked to frozen funds.
However, Tron remains the top blockchain for illicit transactions, with 58% of such activity occurring on its network. Tether’s USDT stablecoin is the most commonly used asset for criminal activities, as per TRM Labs.
Criminals Turn to Alternative Solutions
Using stablecoins like USDT and Circle’s USDC to freeze funds tied to criminal activities is a standard practice. These stablecoin issuers have built-in mechanisms to block transactions associated with illicit activities.
“Let this be a clear warning – criminals attempting to abuse Tether will be caught,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino.

New Tactics by Criminal Organizations
In November 2023, Tether froze $225 million in USDT linked to “pig butchering scams” following a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. These fraudulent schemes often involved coercion and kidnapping of individuals to participate in scams.
Criminal syndicates are now attempting to bypass freezes by creating their own stablecoins. For instance, the dark web marketplace Huione Guarantee launched its stablecoin in September to evade freezing measures, according to security firm Elliptic.
Conclusion
This operation highlights the importance of technological collaboration between blockchain firms and law enforcement agencies. Despite criminals seeking new ways to evade freezes, enhanced security measures and international coordination are delivering tangible results in the fight against money laundering.

#Tron , #Tether , #scam , #Stablecoins , #MoneyLaundering

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