Tron and Tether launch task force to combat AI-driven crypto scams
- Tron, Tether, and Chainalysis launched a Digital Crime Task Force to combat AI-powered crypto scams.
- The initiative replaces the T3 Financial Crime Unit, which disbanded in August 2026 due to coordination issues.
- Tether has cumulatively frozen over $7 billion in illicit USDT across 73 countries.
- The task force will target diverse threats including money laundering, terrorist financing, and North Korean cyber operations.
The unit is also referred to as the Digital Crime Working Group.
This collaborative effort focuses on using blockchain analytics and specialized tools to monitor the blockchain for illicit activity.
AI-powered scams show 4.5 times higher profitability
Chainalysis research found that AI-linked operations averaged $3.2 million compared to $719,000 for non-AI scams.
At least $154 billion flowed to illicit cryptocurrency addresses in 2025.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said, "Criminals are using AI to move faster than ever, and waiting for a victim to report a crime is no longer good enough". Ardoino told the media that the new task force is necessary to counter the speed of AI-assisted attacks using blockchain analytics.
Task force replaces defunct T3 Financial Crime Unit
The new task force follows the closure of the T3 Financial Crime Unit, which was established by Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs in 2024. The partnership disbanded in late August 2026.
Bloomberg reported that the unit folded because of issues with poor coordination and slow response times.
Tether has frozen over $7 billion in illicit assets
Tether has frozen more than $7 billion in USDT cumulatively, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino. The company works with more than 360 law enforcement agencies across 73 countries to freeze illicit funds.
North Korean cyber operations linked to major crypto hacks
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has attributed the February 2025 Bybit hack and another theft to North Korea.
On November 3, 2026, Kim Yo Jong of North Korea denied involvement in the Binance hack. She claimed that Washington was attempting to blame Pyongyang and cited the Bybit case as a previous instance of such accusations.
Sihanoukville casinos received $1.07 billion in USDT
TRM Labs reported that 34 casinos in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, received $1.07 billion in cryptocurrency between January 1 and September 7, 2026. USDT on the Tron network accounted for 99.9% of these inflows.
Of this total, $687 million was tied to US-sanctioned networks.
Justin Sun emphasizes commitment to user safety
Tron founder Justin Sun said, "Millions of people rely on USDT on Tron to support their families".
Sun also stated, "Millions of people rely on Tron’s USDT to keep their families fed, sustain their businesses, and build a safer future".
Task force to target money laundering and terror financing
The Digital Crime Task Force will utilize Chainalysis blockchain analytics data and AI tools to help law enforcement identify, trace, and freeze suspicious funds more rapidly.
The unit intends to investigate romance and investment scams, cryptocurrency thefts, terrorist financing, and North Korean cyber operations. Its focus also includes drug trafficking and cartel money laundering.
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