Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago

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Illicit crypto activity surged 145% year on year, reaching $158 billion, according to a new report from TRM Labs.

In this episode, I break down what’s really driving the spike — and why stablecoins are once again at the center of the debate.

🔹 $158B in illicit crypto volume — what changed?
🔹 77% of illicit stablecoin flows linked to A7/A5
🔹 The Russia-linked stablecoin tied to sanctions evasion
🔹 Why it’s not listed on major regulated exchanges
🔹 What this means for regulators, DeFi, and global enforcement

The reality is more nuanced than the headline.
Yes, volumes are up — but concentration risk, sanctions pressure, and enforcement trends matter more than ever.

Is this a systemic crypto problem — or a geopolitical one?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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#Crypto #Blockchain #Stablecoins #Sanctions #Regulation #DeFi #Geopolitics #Finance #IllicitFinance #CryptoNews