The T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU), a joint initiative by Tether, TRON, and TRM Labs, has frozen more than $300 million in illicit digital assets worldwide since its launch in September 2024. The unit collaborates directly with law enforcement agencies to trace, identify, and dismantle criminal networks operating through cryptocurrencies.
T3 FCU supports cases across 23 jurisdictions
Within its first year, the T3 FCU has provided operational support to law enforcement across 23 jurisdictions spanning every continent except Africa. The United States recorded the highest value of seized assets—around $83 million across 37 cases—representing roughly 27% of the total amount.
Brazil followed with over $13 million in assets frozen across seven cases, while other significant jurisdictions included Spain, Germany, Albania, Bulgaria, Finland, Australia, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
The unit has been instrumental in combating a range of crypto-related crimes, including money laundering, fraud, hacks, and terrorism financing. Notably, it played a key role in Brazil’s Operation Lusocoin, during which the Federal Police seized over R$3 billion in assets, including 4.3 million USDT linked to organized crime groups. The Brazilian authorities formally recognized the T3 FCU’s contribution earlier this month.
The most frequently investigated crime categories included:
- Illicit goods and services (39%)
- Fraud and scams
- Hacks and exploits, including North Korea-linked cases (such as the $19M Bybit hack)
- Crimes involving banned or controlled substances
- Terrorist financing and violent offenses
“Reaching the USD 300 million milestone demonstrates the real-world impact of blockchain technology in combating financial crime,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, noting that the company now works with over 280 law enforcement agencies globally.
Binance joins expanded T3+ program
To strengthen international cooperation, the T3+ Global Collaborator Program was launched in August 2025, designed to expand public-private collaboration against illicit blockchain activities. Binance joined as the first official member of the initiative.
On October 28–29, representatives from Tether, TRON DAO, Binance, TRM Labs, and Europol took part in the 9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptocurrencies in Vienna. Co-organized by Europol and the Basel Institute on Governance, the event highlighted how the T3 FCU framework can be used as a global model for coordinated action between the crypto industry and law enforcement agencies.
