Last year, 3,032 people were prosecuted for cryptocurrency money laundering. Building firewalls has become an urgent priority.

The regulatory challenges of virtual currencies are becoming increasingly prominent. According to data from relevant departments, a total of 3,032 people were prosecuted in 2024 for involvement in virtual currency money laundering crimes. This figure highlights the urgency of risk prevention in the virtual currency sector. Along with recent surges in speculative trading, building a comprehensive virtual currency firewall has become a key focus for regulatory authorities.

Marginalized Youth Groups Become Crime Tools

An analysis of 283 verdicts related to virtual currency money laundering cases reveals a concerning trend. Criminals do not randomly select victims; instead, they target socially and economically marginalized youth groups, turning them into “tools” for money laundering. Most of these exploited individuals lack sufficient legal awareness, have middle school or high school education, and exhibit clear regional characteristics, with concentrated distributions in specific areas.

Multi-Dimensional Defense Is Essential

In the face of a criminal pattern involving 3,032 individuals, relying solely on traditional regulatory methods is insufficient. It is necessary to improve legal regulations, enhance regulatory capabilities, and strengthen technical monitoring, while also protecting legitimate economic and trade activities to avoid a “one-size-fits-all” approach that harms normal business operations. Additionally, raising legal awareness across society—especially providing risk alerts to youth groups—can help more people recognize the dangers of virtual currency money laundering crimes and fundamentally curb the spread of such crimes. Establishing a comprehensive virtual currency firewall requires coordinated efforts across departments, technological innovation, and social consensus.