Cryptocurrencies are a technical and financial innovation that offer major potential for the global economy. At the same time, they are being used for criminal purposes such as money laundering, fraud, and the online trade of illicit goods and services. The ways criminals use cryptocurrencies is evolving, and it is spreading to all forms of serious and organised crime.
Following these developments, Europol has undertaken an analysis of the criminal use of cryptocurrencies to support law enforcement and its response to changing trends in this area. The resultant report contains core definitions, case examples, and details of the challenges authorities face in combating the illicit use of cryptocurrency.
