Global Fight Against Crypto Crime Intensifies

The 9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets, held on October 28 and 29, 2025, in Vienna, marked a significant step in the international effort to combat the increasingly professional use of cryptocurrencies for criminal activities. The conference, a collaboration among Europol, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Basel Institute on Governance, drew over 250 in-person attendees and more than 1,000 virtual participants from diverse sectors such as law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and blockchain technology experts.

Burkhard Mühl, Head of Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre, highlighted the growing sophistication in the criminal use of crypto and blockchain technologies. With crimes ranging from drug trafficking to terrorism financing, the need for a robust and unified global response is more urgent than ever. The conference emphasized three main areas: developing universal standards, enhancing international cooperation, and increasing investment in capabilities to keep pace with the rapid evolution of crypto threats and effectively recover illicit assets.

The event showcased advanced tools that reduce dependency on manual tracing of crypto transactions and highlighted several successful cross-border operations demonstrating the potential of collaborative efforts. John Brandolino of the UNODC underscored the importance of reliable data and research in understanding crypto’s role in crime. He pointed out the ongoing challenges such as legislative gaps and the slow pace of international cooperation, which hinders rapid response to crypto crimes that transcend borders.

Participants also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and the integration of traditional and decentralized financial systems to better combat illicit financial flows. The conference called for enhanced communication channels between entities and stressed the necessity of building specialized teams and enhancing skill sets among frontline officers to address and mitigate the complexities of crypto-related crimes effectively.