- Ripple joins TRM Labs and other major firms to launch the Beacon Network against crypto crime.
- The Beacon Network enables real-time tracing, flagging, and blocking of illicit funds.
- TRM data shows over $47 billion in crypto has flowed to fraud-related addresses since 2023.
Hackers have drained billions from crypto platforms this year. Victims often see their money vanish before help arrives. By the time investigators trace stolen funds, they have already passed through exchanges or converted into fiat. This gap has fueled an urgent need for faster crime-fighting tools in digital assets.
TRM Labs has announced the Beacon Network, a real-time crypto crime response system. Ripple has joined as a founding member. The network is designed to stop illicit funds instantly, preventing them from leaving the blockchain and reaching cash-out points.
Building a Real-Time Response
Beacon Network brings together exchanges, payment firms, law enforcement, and blockchain security experts. Founding members include Coinbase, Binance, PayPal, Robinhood, Kraken, Stripe, Crypto.com, Blockchain.com, and Zodia Custody. Ripple is among the compliance-focused firms joining the initiative.
TRM Labs described Beacon Network as the first end-to-end “kill chain” for digital asset crime. It enables instant alerts on suspicious addresses and transactions. Once flagged, exchanges and platforms can freeze movements before criminals cash out.
Law enforcement agencies worldwide are also part of the system. They contribute by finding out addresses that are involved with hacks, scams, or fraud. When flagged, alerts spread across the network, enabling faster joint action. This approach moves past the siloed response, allowing several sectors to collaborate in real time.
The network also includes independent security researchers. Groups like ZachXBT, Security Alliance, zeroShadow, and Hypernative will provide ongoing monitoring. Their role is to identify threats and support enforcement actions with timely intelligence.
Scale of the Threat
TRM Labs released new data highlighting the urgency of the initiative. Since 2023, at least $47 billion has flowed to fraud-related addresses. Experts believe the actual number is higher, since many victims never report scams. Fear, shame, and lack of clear reporting channels contribute to widespread underreporting.
Meanwhile, 2025 has seen record-breaking theft. Hackers have stolen more than $2.1 billion from the cryptocurrency ecosystem this year. The $1.5 billion Bybit hack showed the challenge of tracking stolen money. Funds moved through more than 10,000 transactions in the first month, making recovery nearly impossible.
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Andrew Rosenberg, Head of Financial Crimes Compliance at Ripple, said the effort is vital as adoption grows. “As blockchain adoption accelerates across the mainstream financial system, maintaining trust and safety is essential to unlocking institutional adoption,” he explained. He added that Ripple is proud to stand as a founding member.
The collaboration highlights a shift in how the crypto industry addresses crime. Rather than reacting to damage, the focus is now on using proactive disruption. Real-time information and collective action are becoming key factors in bridging loopholes that criminals exploit.
The Beacon Network represents one of the most coordinated efforts yet to address crime in digital assets. The system’s goal is to cut off escape routes for hackers and make stolen crypto harder to cash out. Its success will depend on how well members act together. With Ripple, TRM Labs, and major exchanges aligned, the industry is signaling a new era of accountability.
