Chainalysis Operation Lighthouse flags 7,700 accounts in child abuse probe

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has identified more than 7,700 suspect accounts linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through a global intelligence initiative known as Operation Lighthouse.

The operation involved the analysis of 29,120 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers connected to over 100 CSAM platforms, forums, and distribution networks across both the surface and dark web. This effort generated 14,300 investigative leads spanning 11 cryptocurrency exchanges and payment services.

Suspects were flagged in 125 countries. The identified group includes 16 registered sex offenders, as well as military personnel, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and educators. The initiative was a collaborative effort involving law enforcement agencies, private-sector partners, and nonprofits, including Europol, the UK National Crime Agency, Binance, Coinbase, Block, and the Internet Watch Foundation.