Chainalysis said a multi-day operation aimed at disrupting cryptocurrency-linked child sexual abuse material networks produced 14,300 investigative leads and identified suspects in 125 countries. The effort, called Operation Lighthouse, brought together more than nine law enforcement agencies, more than 13 private-sector partners, and specialized non-profits.
According to the company, the sprint reviewed 29,120 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers connected to more than 100 suspected CSAM platforms, forums, and distribution networks across both the surface web and dark web. Chainalysis said the operation was designed to turn existing crypto intelligence into actionable investigative work.
A coordinated enforcement sprint
Chainalysis said Operation Lighthouse was built on months of data enrichment before being carried out as a concentrated multi-day sprint hosted at the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York. Investigators from multiple continents took part, with the stated focus on suspected CSAM consumers, vendors, marketplace operators, and administrators.
The company described the initiative as an operational exercise rather than a general workshop. Participants worked from a shared mission, using blockchain intelligence, partner collaboration, and investigative support to develop leads and support follow-on legal process and case development.
Scope and results
By Chainalysis’s account, the operation examined 29,120 crypto addresses and digital identifiers and targeted more than 100 distinct CSAM-related platforms and networks. The company said those efforts generated 14,300 investigative leads spanning 11 cryptocurrency exchanges and payment services.
Private-sector partners also identified more than 7,700 suspect accounts across exchanges and payment platforms, according to Chainalysis. That total included 16 registered sex offenders. The company further said the operation identified CSAM-linked suspects in 125 countries.
Why crypto was part of the investigation
Chainalysis said cryptocurrency represents only a small fraction of CSAM-related activity, but its use in this area has grown in recent years. The company argued that blockchain transparency can help investigators trace activity, disrupt networks, and support prosecutions when financial flows intersect with child exploitation cases.
In that context, Operation Lighthouse was presented as a way to convert on-chain intelligence into coordinated action by law enforcement and private-sector participants. Chainalysis said the shared operational setup helped participants exchange intelligence quickly and move priority leads forward within a limited time frame.
Public-private model and next steps
Chainalysis framed Operation Lighthouse as a repeatable model for responding not only to CSAM-related crypto activity but also to other illicit typologies. The company said the collaboration showed how public agencies, private companies, and specialist non-profits can combine investigative, evidentiary, and analytical capabilities around a single operational objective.
For now, the confirmed next step is continued follow-up by participants on the leads generated during the sprint, including legal process and case development where applicable. Chainalysis also said it plans to share further updates on the impact of the work and apply the Lighthouse model to future operations.
Source: www.chainalysis.com