TRON, Tether and Chainalysis launch task force as crypto hacks hit $8.78B - AMBCrypto
On November 12, TRON, Tether, and Chainalysis jointly launched the Digital Crime Task Force (DCTF) to combat illicit financial activities involving USDT stablecoin on the TRON blockchain.
The collaboration brings together TRON's blockchain network expertise, Tether's support as USDT issuer, and Chainalysis's blockchain intelligence and AI-powered monitoring tools. The move comes as crypto-related financial crimes become increasingly sophisticated, with AI-enabled scam operations proving 4.5 times more profitable than traditional scams in 2025.
According to DeFiLlama, the crypto industry has recorded $8.78 billion across 328 hacks in 2026 alone, marking the highest annual loss in its database. The five biggest hacks contributed more than 85% of these losses, though the median loss per incident declined from $1.07 million to $510,000, suggesting more frequent but smaller attacks.
Rising Criminal Sophistication
The organizations believe traditional approaches to combating crypto crime are no longer sufficient, as criminals increasingly use AI to move funds faster than victims can report crimes. Tether has already frozen over $7 billion linked to illicit activities while working with 360 law enforcement agencies across 73 countries.
Criminals are using AI to move faster than ever, and waiting for a victim to report a crime is no longer good enough
Expanded Investigation Scope
The DCTF will investigate various financial crimes including investment scams, romance scams, stolen funds, cryptocurrency hacks, terrorist financing, and North Korean cyber operations. This effort coincides with the FBI's 'Operation Blackout,' targeting scam compounds in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that defraud American citizens.
Meanwhile, ACAMS has partnered with Chainalysis to strengthen cryptocurrency anti-financial crime training through an updated CCAS certification. The task force will accept tips and asset-freezing requests directly from law enforcement agencies, focusing on proactive investigations and faster coordination.
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