Key Takeaways:
- T3 Financial Crime Unit has frozen over $250M in illicit crypto since Sept 2024, doubling its total from earlier this year, and is expanding with Binance as its first partner in the new T3+ program.
- Global Ledger reports $3B stolen in crypto in H1 2025, with laundering often completed within minutes, leading to only 4.2% of funds recovered.
- Debate continues over freezing stolen assets, with critics citing decentralization concerns and supporters emphasizing crime prevention.
The T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU), a joint initiative by Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs, has frozen over $250 million in illicit cryptocurrency since launching in September 2024.
This is more than double the amount reported in its first six months.
Big shout out to @Binance for joining T3+ as its first official member!@T3_FCU https://t.co/a330fUXg1f
— H.E. Justin Sun 👨‍🚀 (Astronaut Version) (@justinsuntron) August 12, 2025
The unit collaborates with global law enforcement to disrupt illegal blockchain transactions, targeting crimes such as money laundering, fraud, blackmail, and terrorism financing.
Expanding through the new T3+ program, Binance becomes its first partner, joining to share intelligence and act on threats in real time.
The expansion comes amid increasingly rapid and sophisticated hacks.
Data from Global Ledger shows $3 billion in crypto stolen in the first half of 2025, with some laundering completed in under three minutes and only 4.2% recovered.
About 15% of illicit crypto flows through centralized exchanges, giving compliance teams mere minutes to respond.
State-sponsored groups and organized cybercrime are often behind these attacks.
While freezing stolen funds helps combat crime, it fuels debate over decentralization.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino defended the practice as essential to creating a safer blockchain environment.
About The Author
Efe Bravo, a seasoned journalist, delivers compelling insights into the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.
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