Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Crypto Use Surges in Gold, Drug Smuggling
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in India has noticed that more people are using cryptocurrencies like USDT for illegal activities, especially in drug and gold smuggling.
Unlike traditional money transfer methods, cryptocurrencies are hard to track and can move money quickly across borders.
This makes it difficult for police to stop these illegal activities.
The DRI says that to fight this, they need better tools to track these digital transactions and share information between different agencies.
Cryptocurrency use in drug and gold smuggling has increased significantly.
Stablecoins like USDT are replacing traditional hawala networks.
Cryptocurrencies enable rapid, hard-to-trace international transfers.
Law enforcement faces challenges due to the decentralized and pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrencies.
Advanced blockchain forensics and inter-agency intelligence sharing are needed to combat these illicit activities.
- Who
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
- What
- Increase in cryptocurrency use for illicit payments and transfers in drug and gold smuggling
- When
- Recent years, as noted in the 2024-25 report
- Where
- India
- Why
- Cryptocurrencies enable rapid, hard-to-trace international transfers, bypassing formal financial oversight
- Agency
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
- Report
- Smuggling in India report 2024-25
- Cryptocurrency Type
- Stablecoins like USDT
- Primary Uses
- Drug and gold smuggling
- Challenges
- Hard-to-trace international transfers
- Solutions Needed
- Blockchain forensics, inter-agency intelligence sharing, specialized analytical tools