Law enforcement agencies, led by Europol, dismantled a cryptocurrency laundering platform called Cryptomixer, which facilitated the illegal movement of over 1.3 billion euros since 2016. The service allowed cybercriminals to obscure their transactions by mixing Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it difficult to trace funds through blockchain networks. Authorities seized $29 million in Bitcoin, three servers, and 12 terabytes of data, marking a significant blow to illicit financial activities. The operation highlights the growing efforts to combat crypto-based money laundering linked to crimes like ransomware attacks and drug trafficking. This case underscores the role of blockchain analysis tools in tracking cryptocurrency movements despite mixing services’ attempts to conceal origins.
Key facts
- Cryptomixer enabled criminals to launder over 1.3 billion euros through Bitcoin and Ethereum since 2016.
- The platform pooled user funds for extended periods before redistributing them to hide transaction trails.
- Authorities seized $29 million in Bitcoin, servers, and data from the service’s infrastructure.
- Europol linked the platform to ransomware groups and dark web markets for obscuring illicit funds.
- Similar crypto-mixing services like Tornado Cash and ChipMixer have been previously targeted by regulators.
