AI, Impersonations Drove Crypto Scam Losses to Record $17 Billion in 2025: Chainalysis

In 2025, crypto scams became faster, more convincing, and more profitable as artificial intelligence and impersonation tactics pushed estimated losses to a record $17 billion, according to a new report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. The sharp increase reflects not just more scams, but more effective ones. According to Chainalysis’ report released Tuesday, the average scam payment rose to $2,764 in 2025, up from $782 a year earlier—a 253% increase. “On a time-weighted basis, you get faster scale and better believability,” Chainalysis Head of Research Eric Jardine told Decrypt in an interview. “Over 70% of AI-enabled scams exist in the…