Security researchers at TRM Labs are flagging a concerning outlook for 2026. According to their analysis team, we should brace for a notable uptick in crypto-related criminal activity—and artificial intelligence is a major factor fueling this projection.

The rising sophistication of AI tools is lowering barriers to entry for bad actors. Scammers, money launderers, and fraudsters now have access to more powerful automation and personalization capabilities. This convergence of AI innovation and illicit crypto activity paints a challenging picture for compliance teams and exchanges alike.

The takeaway: staying ahead of evolving threats requires continuous monitoring and adaptive security measures as the threat landscape becomes increasingly complex.