In a groundbreaking move poised to reshape the landscape of financial crime prevention, Elliptic has unveiled a sophisticated crime-tracking tool aimed at the burgeoning stablecoin market. As of today, September 5, 2025, stablecoins like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC are increasingly being used not only for legitimate financial transactions but also by criminals seeking to dodge currency risks. This dual-edged sword of innovation has prompted Elliptic to introduce a due diligence toolset designed to scrutinize wallets and track assets across various blockchains.
Stablecoins: A Double-Edged Sword in Finance
The cryptocurrency world is no stranger to volatility. Yet, stablecoins have emerged as a beacon of consistency, pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, offering a reliable alternative for both legal and illegal financial activities. “Criminals, much like anyone else, prefer to avoid currency risk as they move substantial sums,” notes James Smith, founder of Elliptic. This trend aligns with recent observations that stablecoin reserves on exchanges have hit $68 billion, highlighting their growing role in financial ecosystems.
In the past 24 hours alone, a staggering $94 billion worth of stablecoins has exchanged hands, according to CoinGecko. This explosive growth underscores the urgent necessity of tools like Elliptic’s new dashboard, which caters to both mainstream finance and stablecoin issuers such as Tether and Circle. The tool promises to provide an intricate view of money flows, aiding banks and financial institutions in aligning with current and evolving regulations.
The Banking Perspective and Regional Trends
The allure of stablecoins isn’t lost on banks. “It’s an attractive business from a bank’s perspective,” Smith elaborates, suggesting that banks are keen to tap into this private company market, which involves billions of dollars. However, the complexities of regulations make it a delicate dance. “Any sensible bank must be thinking, ‘How do I ensure participation while staying compliant?’” Smith points out. This sentiment is echoed in Citi’s analysis of how stablecoins and AI could drive post-trade shakeups, indicating a broader industry shift towards integrating these technologies.
Notably, the tool is already in use by several major banks working with stablecoin issuers, although Smith remains tight-lipped about their identities. The product’s flexibility makes it relevant for all stablecoin issuers, not just the top players like Tether, which boasts $168 billion in circulation, dwarfing USDC’s figures.
Interestingly, specific regions and blockchains have become hotspots for illicit activities. “China and Southeast Asia — USDT on Tron is very popular,” Smith mentions, highlighting that Tron’s blockchain is a significant player, second only to Ethereum in terms of hosting USDT.
Fighting Crime with Technology
The capacity of stablecoin issuers to freeze or blacklist wallet addresses is a critical feature in the fight against financial crime. Last month, the T3 Financial Crime Unit, a collaboration between Tron, Tether, and TRM Labs, announced the freezing of over $250 million in criminal assets. This highlights the ongoing battle against money laundering and the pivotal role stablecoins play in this arena.
“Elliptic’s investigators have observed illicit actors converting their assets to non-freezable stablecoins or native assets during early money-laundering stages to avoid interruption,” Smith explains. This underscores the need for dynamic tools that can adapt to the fluid nature of illicit financial activities.
Looking Ahead
Elliptic’s Issuer Due Diligence app stands apart from traditional blockchain analytics tools. Instead of being static and requiring specialist skills, it offers a configurable dashboard with custom clustering and dynamic insights. “It integrates seamlessly into financial institutions’ workflows, offering flexibility and privacy,” Smith emphasizes.
As the stablecoin market continues to thrive, the introduction of tools like Elliptic’s due diligence app raises pertinent questions about the future of financial crime prevention. Will these innovations keep pace with the equally innovative tactics employed by criminals? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: as stablecoins cement their place in mainstream finance, the need for robust tracking tools has never been more critical.
Source
This article is based on: Elliptic Unveils Crime-Tracking Tool as Stablecoins Enter the Mainstream
Further Reading
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
