Germany’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has flagged a significant rise in crypto-related money laundering cases, revealing an 8.2% increase in suspicious reports during 2024. The rise primarily impacted major cryptocurrency platforms such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Authorities report losses reaching $9.3 billion for the year, with investigations pointing towards investment scams and ATM fraud. This concerning trend highlights the evolving challenges of combating illicit activities using digital assets in Germany. The FIU attributes the increase to stricter reporting guidelines designed to identify suspicious crypto transactions more efficiently, potentially leading to increased scrutiny from financial institutions and tighter regulation within the cryptocurrency space.