Marketplace All-in-One Crypto’s big growth on the books and in the shadows
Feb 12, 2026
A deep look at how expanding crypto infrastructure fuels both lawful activity and illicit flows. Examination of nation-state stablecoins and their role in sanctions evasion. A rundown of large-scale scams, from pig butchering romances to work-from-home cons. Discussion of AI supercharging targeted, industrialized fraud and rising illicit transaction volumes.
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Crypto Infrastructure Scales Both Sides
- Cryptocurrency infrastructure growth has enabled both lawful use and illicit activity at scale.
- Nation-states and criminal groups increasingly exploit stablecoins and exchanges to move funds outside traditional finance.
Stablecoins Used To Evade Sanctions
- Sanctions-evasion via stablecoins surged and drove a large part of illicit crypto growth last year.
- A specific Russia-related stablecoin (A7A5) became a major vehicle for sanctions circumvention.
Stablecoins Build A Shadow Dollar Economy
- Stablecoins create a parallel, dollarized shadow economy in places with weak local currencies.
- Lawful users in Venezuela, Argentina and elsewhere adopt stablecoins for everyday financial needs.