Artificial intelligence has caused cryptocurrency fraud to grow by 500% in a year

Cryptocurrency fraud is experiencing a new wave, and artificial intelligence has become the main driver of this growth. According to TRM Labs, the activity of AI schemes increased by 500% in just one year, and other research companies record even higher figures.

Previously, large-scale scams required an army of operators and call centers, but now algorithms are taking over the work. Generative models create phishing emails, fake websites, and chatbots that can conduct hundreds of conversations simultaneously. Deepfake technologies add another layer of persuasion, from the voices of «executives» to videos of public figures.

AI not only speeds up the process but also makes it more personalized. Large language models write messages that look believable and targeted, and translators allow attacks to be launched in different countries. Machine learning helps attackers check passwords in bulk, process private keys, and find weaknesses in smart contracts.

The results are already tangible: a record $ 158 billion in illegal cryptocurrency transactions last year, of which $ 30 billion were direct fraudulent losses. Individual cases are striking in scale: from the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars by one investor to multimillion-dollar transfers made under the influence of deepfakes.

Experts emphasize that if criminals use artificial intelligence, then defenders must use the same tools. Otherwise, the new wave of AI fraud may become the biggest challenge for the crypto market in the coming years.