When you hear the term crypto laundering, the practice of turning illegal proceeds into cryptocurrency to disguise their source. It’s also called cryptocurrency money laundering. The process leans on the speed and pseudo‑anonymity of blockchains, which makes tracking funds harder. A cornerstone of the fight against this crime is anti‑money laundering (AML), regulations that force financial services to monitor, report, and block suspicious activity. The gateways where most of the action happens are cryptocurrency exchanges, online platforms that let users buy, sell, or swap digital assets. To spot hidden patterns, investigators rely on blockchain analytics, software that maps transaction flows, links addresses, and flags anomalies. Together, these pieces form the ecosystem that either enables or curtails illicit finance.
Think of crypto laundering as a three‑step loop. First, criminals move cash into a crypto laundering scheme by purchasing tokens on an exchange. Second, they shuffle those tokens through mixers, peer‑to‑peer trades, or privacy‑focused coins to blur the trail. Third, the laundered assets re‑enter the traditional economy via fiat on‑ramps or by purchasing high‑value goods. This loop creates three clear semantic connections: crypto laundering requires cryptocurrency exchanges to enforce AML controls; AML policies shape how exchanges screen users; and blockchain analytics influences the detection of suspicious flows. In practice, a compliant exchange will run know‑your‑customer (KYC) checks, flag high‑risk transfers, and freeze funds when regulators demand. Meanwhile, analytics firms feed real‑time risk scores to these platforms, allowing them to stop illicit trades before they settle. The result is a tighter feedback loop where regulation, technology, and market participants all push against the same problem.
What you’ll see in the articles below is a mix of real‑world examples, tool reviews, and step‑by‑step guides that show how each part of the chain works. Whether you’re a trader curious about the risks, a developer building compliance tools, or just someone trying to understand why certain exchanges seem stricter, the collection gives you actionable insight. Dive into the posts to see how AML frameworks are applied, which analytics platforms lead the market, and what tricks criminals use to stay ahead. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to spot red flags and protect your own funds.
North Korea uses sophisticated methods to convert stolen cryptocurrency into cash, funding weapons programs. Learn how they move funds through cross-chain bridges, Cambodia hubs, and IT workers to evade sanctions.