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- IWF flagged 15,031 CSAM sites, with over 1,000 now accepting crypto payments.
- Crypto linked to human trafficking rose 85% in 2025, reaching hundreds of millions.
- Blockchain records aid tracking, while global cooperation targets expanding crime networks.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reported a sharp rise in websites hosting child sexual abuse material over the past year. The total climbed to 15,031 from 7,028, showing rapid expansion of such platforms and increased digital distribution across global networks and systems.
As per the report, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said cryptocurrency use is also rising in these operations. Investigators identified more than 1,000 websites that accept digital asset payments. This points to a clear shift toward blockchain-based payment methods.
IWF Flags Shift Toward Crypto Payments in Crime
Data from the Chainalysis 2026 Crypto Crime Report supports this trend. The report showed an 85% rise in crypto transactions linked to human trafficking in 2025. The total volume reached hundreds of millions of dollars.
Researchers said these activities are tied to wider criminal systems. These include scam centers, online gambling groups, and laundering networks. Many of these operations rely on messaging platforms like Telegram to coordinate actions.
The report identified four key types of crypto use in these crimes. These are international escort, forced labor recruitment, prostitution networks, and CSAM distribution. All the categories utilize digital assets differently depending on the needs of operations.
Source: Chainalysis
Escort services and prostitution networks are highly involved in the use of stablecoins. They are stable in price and liquid, which encourages frequent transactions. Platforms based on CSAM rely primarily on Bitcoin but are moving to other blockchains.
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Analysts indicated that blockchain technology aids investigations. As opposed to cash, the crypto transactions have permanent records. These books facilitate the tracking of fund flow and patterns that are associated with criminality.
IWF Stresses Global Response to Crypto Fraud Threats
Another case presented the use of crypto in other fields by fraudsters. Fraudsters posed as Iranian officials and made calls to shipping companies in the Persian Gulf. They charged digital payments to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
The messages pre-cleared documents and crypto payments. Bitcoin and Tether were some of the accepted assets as payment. Authorities denied these rumors and said they did not have anything to do with any government agency.
Chainalysis emphasized the importance of international collaboration to deal with these threats. It stated that collaboration among tech companies, financial institutions, police, and policymakers is crucial. This strategy can aid in breaking down infrastructure that is exploited and used in financial crime.
The report underscored the two-fold role of cryptocurrency in contemporary systems. Digital evidence may facilitate criminal behavior as well as enhance traceability. This balance is one of the major challenges since adoption is on the increase around the world.
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