Chainalysis leads operation identifying 7,700 accounts linked to child exploitation

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis led Operation Lighthouse, a global initiative that identified over 7,700 cryptocurrency accounts linked to child sexual abuse material. The operation investigated more than 29,000 addresses across 100 platforms, generating 14,300 leads in 125 countries. Supported by law enforcement agencies like Europol and exchanges including Binance and Coinbase, the effort targeted networks of exploitation, identifying suspects including 16 registered sex offenders.

Operation Lighthouse investigation

• ▪The suspects identified during Operation Lighthouse included 16 registered sex offenders, military personnel, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and educators
• ▪Chainalysis led Operation Lighthouse, a global, multi-day operation that identified more than 7,700 suspect cryptocurrency accounts linked to child sexual abuse material
• ▪Operation Lighthouse was hosted at the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York after months of data enrichment
• ▪Operation Lighthouse investigated 29,120 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers connected to over 100 child sexual abuse material platforms, forums, and distribution networks
• ▪Operation Lighthouse generated 14,300 investigative leads across 11 cryptocurrency exchanges and payment services, flagging suspects across 125 countries

Blockchain tracing in CSAM cases

• ▪Europol team leader Danny van Althuis stated that perpetrators exploit financial services, payment systems, social media, and internet platforms to facilitate child sexual abuse
• ▪Binance senior program manager Gavin Sather stated that the transparency of blockchain makes it difficult for criminals to hide while exploiting victims

Crypto industry anti-exploitation partnerships

• ▪Operation Lighthouse partnered with organizations including Europol, the UK National Crime Agency, the Australian Federal Police, Binance, Coinbase, Block, and the Internet Watch Foundation
• ▪Binance partnered with nonprofit Stop The Traffik in July 2026 to improve detection of cryptocurrency activity linked to human trafficking and child exploitation

Historical enforcement actions

• ▪The 2019 Welcome to Video investigation led to 337 arrests, the rescue of 23 victims, and the seizure of eight terabytes of material
• ▪The United States Justice Department announced the 2019 takedown of Welcome to Video, the largest darknet child sexual exploitation market by volume
• ▪Chainalysis software was used to analyze transactions and map users for the 2019 Welcome to Video darknet market investigation

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