Chainalysis Sting Targets Child Exploitation Networks With Binance and Coinbase Support

Chainalysis has coordinated an international investigation targeting cryptocurrency networks linked to child sexual abuse material, producing more than 14,000 leads for law enforcement agencies.

The multi-day initiative, dubbed “Operation Lighthouse,” brought together blockchain investigators, crypto exchanges, law enforcement bodies and nonprofit organizations to trace networks identified through blockchain intelligence, Chainalysis said Tuesday.

The operation was headquartered at the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York and involved agencies from several countries, including Europol, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the UK’s National Crime Agency.

Authorities have increasingly highlighted the use of cryptocurrency in these criminal networks. Europol team leader Danny van Althuis said criminals use financial services, payment networks, social media and online platforms to facilitate such offenses, making cooperation between the technology and financial sectors and law enforcement critical to identifying those responsible.

According to Chainalysis, investigators examined more than 29,000 cryptocurrency addresses and other digital identifiers during the operation. The effort also focused on more than 100 forums and online hubs, generating over 14,000 investigative leads.

The investigation identified suspects across 125 countries, with some individuals already listed as registered sex offenders.

A number of cryptocurrency and financial companies participated in the effort, including payments company Block, alongside nonprofit organizations such as the Internet Watch Foundation.

Gavin Sather, Binance’s senior program manager for anti-child sexual exploitation, said blockchain’s inherent transparency can make it harder for criminals to conceal their financial activity while exploiting victims.