TRM Labs: Illicit cryptocurrency flows reached $158 billion in 2025, with AI-driven scams growing at an annual rate of approximately 500%.

According to a report by TRM Labs, as reported by Mars Finance, artificial intelligence is profoundly changing the landscape of digital financial transactions. Illegal cryptocurrency flows reached $158 billion in 2025, with AI-driven fraud increasing by approximately 500% annually. The report points out that autonomous AI agents have significantly reduced the time required for money laundering and cross-chain asset transfers. By automating the splitting of funds, selecting optimal bridging paths, and executing exchanges on decentralized platforms, these agents can conceal the movement of funds within seconds. Overall, 150 hacking attacks in 2025 resulted in $2.87 billion in losses. In one major exchange's $1.46 billion theft, the speed of fund dispersal played a crucial role in the final outcome.