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AI fraud is driving crypto scam losses and pushing advisors to controls
CoinDesk cites FBI data showing record $20.9 billion in 2025 cybercrime losses, with crypto the most common payment channel, and Chainalysis estimating up to $17 billion flowed to crypto scams.
CoinDesk says AI-driven fraud is changing the economics of crypto scams, making impersonation cheaper, more personalized, and more convincing for attackers. The newsletter argues that in digital assets, stronger protection for advisors is less about spotting fakes and more about financial controls, including verification, separation of duties, and reconciliation.
CoinDesk points to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data showing record $20.9 billion in cybercrime losses in 2025, and says cryptocurrency was the most common payment channel. It also cites Chainalysis estimates that as much as $17 billion flowed to crypto scams over the same period, with operations linked to AI tools about 4.5 times more profitable than those without.
The newsletter adds that the average scam payment more than tripled year over year to $2,764. It also says Chainalysis found scam operations linked to AI tools were roughly 4.5 times more profitable than non-AI-linked operations.
CoinDesk’s “Ask an Expert” segment features ORO CEO Varun Choudhary, who discusses using automation to add defensive layers. The piece says money managers can automate account-level security guardrails by moving to programmable smart accounts and using automated monitoring.