$BTC Looking ahead, Andersen-Röed flagged several emerging threats that demand close attention from the crypto industry. As adoption expands, so too does the sophistication of criminal tactics.

Bad actors are growing more agile in obscuring the origin of funds. They increasingly rely on mixers, cross-chain bridges, and decentralized protocols to ‘wash’ transactions, while automation via smart contracts allows them to execute laundering strategies at scale. Some are even shifting to EVM-compatible blockchains with limited attribution tools, further complicating efforts to trace illicit activity.

Cross-chain laundering, in particular, poses a significant challenge. By moving assets across multiple blockchains, often in quick succession, criminals can sidestep detection systems that weren’t designed for such fluid environments. Andersen-Röed emphasized that this evolving complexity calls for smarter compliance tools and stronger collaboration between industry players, regulators, and enforcement agencies.

One particularly alarming development is the rise of AI-powered scams. Andersen-Röed noted that generative AI has dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for cybercrime. From deepfake videos of company executives to highly targeted, automated phishing bots, these tools enable criminals to launch convincing and large-scale attacks with minimal effort.

To address these emerging threats, Andersen-Röed stressed that fighting financial crime in the digital age requires a united front across the crypto industry, traditional finance, and governments. Only through this collective approach will the industry be able to effectively combat the evolving risks and ensure a safer crypto ecosystem for all