Tether, TRON T3 Unit Freezes $450M in Illicit Crypto

TLDR

• Tether, TRON, and TRM Labs confirmed that the T3 Financial Crime Unit has frozen over $450 million in illicit crypto assets since 2024.
• The unit reported a 43.9% increase in intercepted illicit proceeds in 2025 compared with 2024.
• T3 Financial Crime Unit worked with law enforcement agencies across 23 jurisdictions, including the United States and Germany.
• The unit executed asset freezes within 24 hours during account takeover cases and violent crime emergencies.
• The Financial Action Task Force described T3 Financial Crime Unit as an invaluable resource for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Tether, TRON, and TRM Labs confirmed that their joint T3 Financial Crime Unit has frozen over $450 million in illicit crypto assets since 2024. The unit reported a 43.9% rise in intercepted illicit proceeds in 2025 compared with 2024. Officials shared the update in a statement and detailed cooperation across 23 jurisdictions.

Tether and Partners Report $450 Million Asset Freeze Milestone

Tether, TRON, and TRM Labs launched the T3 Financial Crime Unit in 2024 to combat crypto-related crime. Since launch, the unit has frozen more than $450 million in unlawful digital assets. The group worked with authorities in the United States, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria.

The unit said it increased intercepted illicit proceeds by 43.9% in 2025 over the prior year. It acted on requests from law enforcement agencies across 23 jurisdictions. It also identified suspicious transactions and froze assets within 24 hours during account takeover cases and violent crime emergencies.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino commented on the milestone. He said, “We take pride in working with regulators and institutions to make blockchain technology more reliable and trustworthy.” He added, “This $450 million milestone is just the beginning of what T3 is capable of.”

The Financial Action Task Force recognized the unit earlier this year. The organization described T3 FCU as an “invaluable resource for law enforcement agencies worldwide.” The statement highlighted the unit’s direct support for ongoing criminal investigations.

TRON and TRM Labs Expand Global Enforcement Coordination

TRON and TRM Labs supported investigations into exchange hacks and DPRK-linked activity. The unit also assisted in cases tied to terrorist financing and wrench attacks. These attacks included home invasions, kidnappings, and extortion schemes.

T3 FCU supported Operation Lusocoin, led by the Brazilian Federal Police. Authorities froze over 3 billion reals, or $598.9 million, during the operation. The seizure included 4.3 million USDT linked to a criminal network.

TRM Labs reported data on illicit crypto liquidity in 2025. Illicit actors captured about 2.7% of available crypto liquidity during the year. That figure declined from 2.9% recorded in 2024.

However, TRM Labs said total illicit crypto volume reached $158 billion in 2025. The figure marked a 145% increase from the previous period. The data reflects continued monitoring by the T3 Financial Crime Unit and its partners.

T3 FCU stated it will continue working with global authorities. It emphasized rapid response to asset freeze requests and suspicious activity alerts. The unit confirmed ongoing cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.

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