TRON, Tether, and blockchain forensic firm TRM Labs launch T3 Financial Crime Unit (FCU)

• TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs launch T3 FCU to combat illicit USDT transactions.
• T3 FCU has frozen $12M in fraudulent USDT and identified 11 suspects.
• Despite Circle halting USDC minting, TRON minted $19B in USDT this year.

TRON, stablecoin issuer Tether, and blockchain forensic firm TRM Labs have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at combating illicit transactions involving USDT on the TRON blockchain.

This strategic alliance has led to the creation of the T3 Financial Crime Unit (FCU), a cutting-edge initiative designed to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks exploiting the TRON network for illegal activities.

#TRON, @Tether_to, and @trmlabs today announced we have joined forces to establish the T3 Financial Crime Unit, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at facilitating public-private collaboration to combat illicit activity associated with the use of USDT on the TRON blockchain.… pic.twitter.com/156pMChPra

— TRON DAO (@trondao) September 10, 2024

T3 Financial Crime Unit (FCU)

The T3 Financial Crime Unit (FCU) formation is a response to the increasing prevalence of criminal activities on the TRON network, including scams and fraud.

TRON, known for its expansive ecosystem and high transaction volumes, has become a key player in the stablecoin market. With over 240 million users and 8.4 billion transactions, TRON’s low transaction fees and stability have attracted a significant amount of legitimate activity.

However, these same features have also drawn the attention of criminals, including terrorists and money launderers. The network’s role in facilitating illicit transactions is underscored by the recent report from TRM Labs indicating that USDT, the stablecoin issued by Tether, was involved in over $19 billion worth of illicit funds in 2023, with TRON accounting for 45% of these transactions.

By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, the T3 FCU aims to track and address the flow of illicit USDT transactions. Its efforts have already made a tangible impact, freezing over $12 million worth of USDT linked to fraudulent schemes.

In collaboration with global law enforcement agencies from the UK, US, and Australia, the T3 FCU has also identified 11 culprits, with more expected as investigations progress.

Circle halts minting USDC on the TRON blockchain

In a related development, Circle, the issuer of USDC, in February decided to halt minting USDC on the TRON blockchain, citing risk management concerns amidst growing regulatory scrutiny.

However, despite this, TRON continues to play a leading role in the stablecoin market. In August 2024, Tether minted an additional $1 billion in USDT on the blockchain, bringing the total USDT minted for the year to $33 billion, with TRON accounting for $19 billion of this figure.

The launch of the T3 Financial Crime Unit marks a proactive step in addressing the challenges of illicit activities within the blockchain ecosystem, reinforcing TRON’s commitment to a secure and transparent digital financial environment.