The T3 Financial Crime Unit, backed by Tether, Tron, and TRM Labs, has frozen $300 million in tainted funds in its first year. Launched to address stablecoin activity on Tron, the initiative has gained global recognition for combating financial crimes. It highlights industry-led efforts in blockchain security through public-private collaborations.
The T3 Financial Crime Unit was formed in September 2024 by stablecoin issuer Tether, the Tron blockchain, and blockchain intelligence platform TRM Labs. Initially aimed at cleaning up stablecoin activity on Tron, it has since evolved into a global enforcement model for blockchain security.
Since its launch, T3 has monitored transactions and coordinated high-profile seizures targeting proceeds from “pig butchering” scams and organized crime networks in Europe. Its investigations now span five continents. The unit received recent recognition from Brazil’s Federal Police for its role in Operation Lusocoin, a major money-laundering bust, demonstrating the impact of public-private collaboration in preventing financial crimes in crypto.
Key milestones include freezing $100 million in illicit USDT by January 2025, with $3 million linked to North Korean networks. By August 2025, the total reached $250 million, coinciding with the launch of the T3+ Global Collaborator Program. This program fosters real-time coordination with exchanges and law enforcement, starting with Binance and resulting in the freezing of $6 million tied to a pig-butchering scam.
“Tether is deeply committed to maintaining the integrity of the financial ecosystem by collaborating with over 280 law enforcement agencies globally,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, in a release. The $300 million milestone underscores the crypto industry's capacity for self-policing and accountability.