The Tron blockchain has gained notoriety as a hotspot for illicit transactions, accounting for a substantial portion of illegal cryptocurrency activities in 2023, reveals a report by analytics firm TRM Labs, as reported by South China Morning Post.
The Tron blockchain attracts criminal use due to its speed and cost-effectiveness.
Tron, associated with entrepreneur Justin Sun, has become increasingly favored among criminals, particularly drug traffickers. Despite this surge, Bitcoin remains the dominant choice for such activities.
Tron's appeal lies in its swiftness and low transaction costs, making it an attractive option for nefarious actors seeking quick and inexpensive transactions.
TRM Labs Warns of Tether's Role in Illicit Finance
Tether, a leading stablecoin, has also been implicated in illegal activities, with over $19 billion of its transactions linked to criminal endeavors, constituting about 1.6% of its total volume.
The Tron-based USDT token has emerged as a primary tool for terrorism financing, a concerning trend highlighted by TRM Labs.
Tron-based USDT boasts a market cap of $54 billion, surpassing its Ethereum-based counterpart. Tether, however, contests the notion that illicit transactions involving its stablecoin are overstated.
Tron DAO Refutes UN Accusations, Asserts Collaboration with Blockchain Forensics Firms and Denies User Control
Despite being singled out by a recent UN report as a preferred platform for illicit activities, Tron DAO refutes these claims, asserting its cooperation with blockchain forensics firms. Additionally, the company denies having direct control over its users.
Tron's founder faced legal action from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March last year, as reported by U.Today.