Stablecoins: $141 Billion of Suspicious Transactions in 2025 According to TRM Labs

TRM Labs has just released worrying figures that reignite the debate on crypto crime. At the center of discussions: illicit activities related to stablecoins that have reached a five-year record. More details in the paragraphs below!

Stablecoins Now Dominate Illicit Flows in the Crypto Sector

Stablecoins surpass bitcoin in uses related to money laundering and darknet markets. Often pegged to the dollar, their stability facilitates rapid transfers of financial flows. The USDT appears as one of the most used instruments in these circuits.

According to TRM Labs, $141 billion of suspicious transactions passed through these digital assets in 2025. A level marking a five-year high! The share of illicit activities in the overall crypto volume remains limited however. The main reason is that the market is growing faster than crypto crime.

In Response to This Increase, Surveillance and Regulatory Pressure Intensify

Authorities intend to exploit blockchain transparency to track suspicious transactions linked to stablecoins. More precisely, this refers to onchain traceability which allows identifying wallets connected to criminal networks.

In the report published on February 19, TRM Labs highlights that law enforcement recovers funds faster than before. Stablecoins leave exploitable digital traces. This reality changes the dynamics of crypto crime.

Pressure on regulation is also increasing. Today, stablecoin issuers face heightened compliance requirements. Legal framework debates are multiplying, especially in areas affected by international sanctions.

For investors, the issue remains sensitive. Stablecoins support market liquidity and facilitate access to digital assets. They even constitute a strategic challenge. This weakens the balance between financial innovation and increased control.

Whether legitimate or not, stablecoins now establish themselves at the heart of global flows. Nevertheless, the record $141 billion in 2025 sends a strong signal. The evolution of regulation and surveillance will therefore shape the next phase of the crypto market.