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Chainalysis launches Operation Lighthouse to track child abuse networks
The multi-day effort examined more than 29,000 crypto addresses and generated over 14,000 investigative leads across 125 countries.
Chainalysis organized a multi-day operation, dubbed Operation Lighthouse, to investigate networks that distribute child sex abuse material using blockchain intelligence, the firm said. The effort involved crypto investigators, exchanges, and law enforcement partners working together to turn on-chain and other digital findings into leads for follow-up investigations.
According to Chainalysis, Operation Lighthouse used the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York as its headquarters and partnered with agencies including Europol, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the UK’s National Crime Agency.
The operation targeted more than 100 separate forums and hubs and reviewed more than 29,000 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers, producing more than 14,000 leads. Chainalysis said suspects were located in 125 different countries and some were already registered sex offenders.
Europol team leader Danny van Althuis said perpetrators increasingly exploit financial services, payment systems, social media, and internet platforms, making cross-sector coordination important. CoinDesk reports that several crypto-related and nonprofit organizations also weighed in, including payments firm Block and the Internet Watch Foundation.