Chainalysis has coordinated an international crackdown on cryptocurrency activity associated with child sexual abuse networks, producing more than 14,000 leads for further law enforcement investigations.
The multi-day initiative, called “Operation Lighthouse,” brought together crypto investigators, exchanges, government agencies and nonprofit groups to trace networks identified through blockchain transaction data, Chainalysis said Tuesday.
The operation was headquartered at the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York and included law enforcement partners such as Europol, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the UK’s National Crime Agency.
Authorities have increasingly identified cryptocurrency as a tool used by criminal networks involved in online child exploitation. Europol team leader Danny van Althuis said offenders exploit financial services, payment networks, social media and online platforms, making collaboration between the private sector and law enforcement essential to finding and disrupting those responsible.
As part of the investigation, teams analyzed more than 29,000 crypto addresses and digital identifiers and examined over 100 forums and online hubs.
Chainalysis said the operation generated more than 14,000 investigative leads and identified suspects across 125 countries. Some of those flagged by investigators were already registered sex offenders.
Several companies and nonprofit organizations also contributed to the operation. Participants included payments company Block and the Internet Watch Foundation, which specializes in combating online child sexual abuse material.
Gavin Sather, Binance’s senior program manager for anti-child sexual exploitation, said the traceability of blockchain transactions can make it difficult for offenders to remain hidden indefinitely while using crypto to facilitate criminal activity.
The operation highlights how blockchain analytics, crypto industry cooperation and international law enforcement can be combined to trace financial activity and support investigations into cross-border criminal networks.
