In this week’s top story, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) adopted a resolution designating transnational crypto scam centers as a global security crisis at its 93rd Annual General Assembly.
Meanwhile, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) announced a successful operation that shutdown a major illicit crypto mixing service.
Finally, Japanese technology and electronics giant Sony signaled its bold intentions in the digital asset space by applying for a charter to launch a USD-pegged stablecoin.
To learn more, read on.
Interpol declares global security emergency over transnational crypto scam networks
Interpol adopted the formal resolution recognizing transnational scam centers as an urgent global security threat during its 93rd Annual General Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, on November 26, 2025. It calls for stronger cross-border coordination, faster intelligence sharing, and targeted disruption of the crypto infrastructure that enables these schemes. Interpol also urged national authorities to expand cooperation with blockchain analytics providers and regulated financial institutions to detect illicit flows earlier and safeguard potential victims.
Interpol took the step, proposed by South Korea, to counter the rapid spread of transnational scam networks that rely heavily on cryptocurrency to move and launder criminal proceeds.
The organization says these networks now represent one of the fastest-growing international crime threats, combining large-scale online fraud with forced labor, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse. Interpol claims that tens of thousands of victims have been trafficked into scam compounds operating across more than 60 countries. Many are lured with fake job ads, transported across borders, and then coerced into running online investment scams, romance scams, and crypto fraud schemes.
These criminal enterprises generate billions of dollars in illegal profits each year. Interpol’srecently declassified ‘Operation Catalyst’, undertaken in collaboration with the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (Afripol), uncovered a $562 million Ponzi scheme that used crypto currency to store and transfer funds while also financing terrorist activities.
Addressing the increasing scale and sophistication of these operations, Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said that “to effectively counter these criminal networks, we must strengthen collaboration, improve information sharing and move forward with coordinated, decisive action.”
Why this matters
Compliance teams, law enforcement officials, and investigators worldwide must recognize, as per Interpol’s resolution, that cryptocurrency is now at the center of large-scale global fraud networks. Combating the threat will require heightened vigilance regarding scam-linked transaction patterns, vigorous monitoring of cross-chain movements, and careful tracing of wallets associated with human trafficking operations.
Read more on Coinedition.
Europol and partners shut down major crypto mixer used for money laundering via digital assets
Europol announced the shutdown of Cryptomixer.io, a large bitcoin mixing service used extensively by cybercriminals to conceal illicit funds, on December 1, 2025.
Led by Swiss and German authorities, the operational phase of the takedown took place from November 24 to 28, with support from Europol, Eurojust, and several EU member states.
Law enforcement seized the platform’s servers in Switzerland, took the domain offline, and confiscated more than 12 terabytes of data, which held detailed transaction logs and infrastructure information. Authorities also seized over €25M in bitcoin linked to the service.
According to Europol reports, Cryptomixer.io processed billions of euros in cryptocurrency transactions, a significant portion of which were associated with ransomware groups, dark web marketplaces, malware operations, and other organized crime networks.
Investigators believe the mixer offered high-volume anonymization services designed to make criminal proceeds difficult to trace by breaking transaction histories, redistributing funds, and obscuring source-destination patterns. The service advertised itself as a privacy tool but is alleged to have operated with full knowledge that criminal groups made up a substantial share of its user base.
The significant data seizure is expected to play a critical role in ongoing investigations. Europol says the logs will help identify criminal operators, their financial networks, and potentially the exchanges and service providers used to cash out or re-route funds.
Why this matters
The operation demonstrates increasing international cooperation against services that enable high-risk laundering and cybercrime. Compliance teams and investigators worldwide will undoubtedly be pleased with the prominent role they can play in combating money laundering through cryptocurrencies, while also being aware of the increasing responsibilities that come with it.
Read more on Europol.
Sony advances plan for a USD-pegged stablecoin and digital asset trust services
The Japanese technology and electronics giant, Sony, is expanding its presence in the digital asset space through its financial arm, Sony Bank. The company has applied for a national trust bank charter in the United States and has planned its launch for early 2026. If the application is approved, Sony will be able to issue a USD-pegged stablecoin and operate as a regulated provider of digital-asset custody and reserve management services, joining a small group of mainstream financial and technology companies seeking direct involvement in blockchain-based payments.
The proposed stablecoin would be pegged 1:1 with the UD dollar. Sony’s filings indicatethe company’s interest inenabling blockchain-based payments for gaming, entertainment, and financial applications, integrating stablecoin transactions into its global ecosystem. The company has also signaled its intention to comply with U.S. banking standards, including capital requirements, risk management controls, and anti-money laundering obligations.
However, Sony’s application has raised eyebrows among US banking associations. For instance, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) has cautioned that the proposed stablecoin could pose a risk to consumers if not adequately insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Why this matters
A major global brand entering the USD-stablecoin market signals future growth in consumer-facing crypto flows. Compliance teams should be mindful and prepared for regulators to examine this and similar applications closely, and plan accordingly.
Read more on Yahoo Finance.
