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Pig Butchering Scams Drive Crypto Fraud to $9.9 Billion in 2024

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A recent report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis revealed that crypto scams generated at least $9.9 billion in illicit revenue in 2024. The most significant contributor to this surge was “pig butchering” scams.

Pig butchering scams often combine investment fraud with romance scams. In these scams, perpetrators build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in fake crypto platforms.

Chainalysis Reveals Growing Threat of Pig Butchering Scams

Chainalysis warns that the estimated $9.9 billion in scam revenue for 2024 is likely conservative. Instead, the final figures could potentially exceed $12 billion. The report highlights a near 40% increase in pig butchering incidences year over year, accounting for 33.2% of total crypto scam revenue.

Crypto Scam Revenue by Year: Pig Butchering scams
Crypto Scam Revenue by Year. Source: Chainalysis

According to the report, many of these operations originate from Southeast Asia. Further, the report highlights scammers’ increasing sophistication, citing illicit services such as Huione Guarantee, a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform that facilitates fraud. Specifically, it is a Telegram-based marketplace serving Southeast Asian fraudsters, including those responsible for so-called pig butchering scams.

This platform provides scammers with money laundering tools, stolen personal data, and social media management services. Since 2021, Huione Guarantee has reportedly processed over $70 billion in crypto transactions, solidifying its role in the fraud ecosystem.

The research also revealed Huione Guarantee’s recent launches, USDH stablecoin and blockchain project Xone. These launches raised concerns about new avenues for fraudsters to obscure their transactions.

The report bolsters a recent incident in which Tether froze 29.62 million USDT linked to Cambodian criminal activities involving the Huione Group. Recently, Elliptic also exposed Huione Guarantee as a multi-billion dollar marketplace for online fraudsters.

Generative AI and Other Crypto Fraud Methods

Chainalysis also highlights the role of generative AI in enhancing scam tactics further, enabling fraudsters to impersonate victims. Specifically, it helps them bypass identity verification and create highly convincing fake investment platforms.

In addition to pig butchering scams and generative AI, other crypto fraud methods saw substantial growth in 2024:

  • Address Poisoning: Scammers send small transactions from addresses, mimicking a victim’s contacts and tricking them into transferring funds to fraudulent wallets.
  • Crypto Drainers: Phishing attacks increased by 170%, with incidents involving fake US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) airdrops.
  • Livestream Scams & Sextortion: AI-generated deepfake scams and blackmail tactics have become more common.
  • Employment Scams: Fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies, tricking victims into paying fraudulent training fees or tax deposits.

The use of cryptocurrency ATMs in scams has also surged. According to Chainalysis, the US FBI reported a tenfold increase in consumer losses since 2020. Fraudsters frequently exploit these ATMs to receive funds from victims who are convinced they are making legitimate payments.

“While crypto ATMs are used for legitimate purposes, they are also popular among scammers, and in the last few years, the FBI has received thousands of reports about cybercriminals using crypto ATMs to receive payouts for scams,” an excerpt in the report read.

Chainalysis also cites one case in which scammers deceived a US citizen into depositing $15,000 into Bitcoin ATMs under the pretense of fixing a computer virus. Authorities intervened, recovering part of the funds.

Based on these findings, Chainalysis acknowledges mounting challenges for law enforcement agencies in combating cryptocurrency fraud. While centralized exchanges (CEXs) remain the primary channel for laundering illicit funds, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms complicates asset tracking.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Solana Risks Falling to $120 Amid Weak TVL and Whale Activity

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Solana (SOL) has been under pressure, struggling to remain above the $130 mark for the past seven days. Over the last 30 days, SOL has corrected by nearly 36%, reflecting broader market weakness.

The continued decline is being driven by Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) and whale activity, which show mixed signals. As SOL trades within a tight range, investors are closely watching key support and resistance levels to gauge where the next major move could unfold.

Solana TVL Struggles Below $9 Billion

Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) is $8.57 billion, having remained below the $10 billion mark since February 23.

This recent trend highlights a period of constrained capital flow into the Solana ecosystem, suggesting that investors and protocols are adopting a more cautious stance.

Despite this, Solana continues to retain a significant share of the decentralized finance (DeFi) market, but the sub-$10 billion range reflects broader market sentiment and risk appetite within the ecosystem.

Solana TVL.
Solana TVL. Source: DeFiLlama.

TVL, or Total Value Locked, measures the amount of capital deposited across a blockchain’s DeFi protocols, including lending, staking, liquidity pools, and other smart contract-based applications.

It is a key metric for gauging the health and activity within a blockchain ecosystem, as higher TVL generally reflects strong user participation, liquidity, and developer confidence.

Solana’s TVL reached an all-time high of $14.24 billion on January 18 but has since been in a steady decline, mirroring a more cautious market posture.

While TVL remains relatively low, it has shown signs of stabilization and a slight recovery, bouncing from a recent low of $8.11 billion on March 10 to its current level, signaling a potential shift in market sentiment.

Whales Are Buying SOL Again

The number of Solana whales – addresses holding at least 10,000 SOL – is currently at 5,031, a slight increase from 5,008 just two days ago.

However, this figure remains below the 5,053 level observed on March 3, suggesting that while some accumulation is happening, the whale count has yet to recover from its recent highs fully.

This fluctuation in large holders indicates a market still in transition as key players reassess their positions within the Solana ecosystem.

Solana Whales.
Solana Whales. Source: Glassnode.

Monitoring the number of whales is crucial because these large holders often have the ability to influence the market through significant buying or selling activity.

A rising whale count can signal increased confidence among sophisticated investors, potentially leading to more price stability or upward momentum. With the current whale figure climbing to 5,031, this modest uptick could be an early sign of renewed interest from major players, supporting the idea of gradual accumulation.

However, the number remaining below recent peaks suggests that while sentiment may be improving, some larger investors are still cautious, which could limit immediate upside pressure on SOL’s price.

Can Solana Fall To $112 Soon?

Solana price is currently trading within a range, finding support at $120.76 and facing resistance at $131.

With the market showing signs of a downtrend, there is a risk that SOL could retest the $120.76 support level.

Should this level fail to hold, the price could potentially decline further toward the next key support at $112, signaling a deeper correction within the current bearish momentum.

SOL Price Analysis.
SOL Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

However, if SOL manages to regain positive momentum, it could challenge the immediate resistance at $131.

A successful breakout above this level could open the door for a move toward $152.9, with a further push to $179.85 if bullish sentiment strengthens significantly.

The current consolidation between $120.76 and $131 will be critical in determining whether SOL continues its downward pressure or transitions into a sustained uptrend.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Ethereum Risks Falling To $1,700 as Number of Whales Decline

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Ethereum (ETH) has been struggling, down nearly 30% over the past 30 days as bearish sentiment continues to weigh on the asset. Over the last week, ETH has remained stuck below the $2,000 mark, unable to regain key resistance levels.

While some indicators, like BBTrend, are showing early signs of stabilization, whale activity points to cautious behavior among large investors. As Ethereum trades near critical support zones, the market is watching closely to see if the downtrend will deepen or if bulls can stage a meaningful recovery.

BBTrend Is Now Positive After 6 Days, But Still At Modest Levels

Ethereum’s BBTrend indicator is currently sitting at 0.22, having just turned positive after spending six consecutive days in negative territory.

During that stretch, it reached a negative peak of -17.68 on March 13, reflecting strong bearish momentum.

This shift marks a potential early sign of stabilization for Ethereum. The indicator has crossed back above zero, signaling that sellers may be losing control in the short term, as Ethereum network activity recently hit yearly lows.

ETH BBTrend.
ETH BBTrend. Source: TradingView.

BBTrend, or Bollinger Band Trend, is a momentum-based indicator that measures the strength and direction of a price trend relative to its Bollinger Bands. Readings below 0 typically suggest bearish conditions, while readings above 0 indicate bullish momentum.

Thresholds around -10 or +10 often highlight periods of stronger trend conviction. Ethereum’s BBTrend is now back in positive territory after a prolonged bearish phase, suggesting that downward pressure is easing.

However, at just 0.22, the indicator is still at low levels, signaling that while the sell-off might be cooling, the market has yet to transition into a strong bullish trend fully.

Whales Are Not Accumulating Ethereum

The number of Ethereum whales—wallets holding at least 1,000 ETH—has been steadily declining since February 22, after peaking at 5,828 addresses.

The current number of Ethereum whales stands at 5,752, despite a modest attempt at a rebound in recent days, with Ethereum market dominance hitting its lowest levels since 2020.

This gradual reduction in large holders points to a cautious approach among key players. Some whales are reducing their exposure or taking profits as Ethereum’s price action remains mixed.

ETH Whales.
ETH Whales. Source: Glassnode.

Tracking whale behavior is crucial because these large addresses often act as market movers, capable of influencing price trends through their buying or selling activity.

A steady decline in Ethereum whale numbers may suggest waning confidence or a shift toward risk-off sentiment among institutional or high-net-worth investors.

This downward trend in whale accumulation could limit the strength of any potential rallies, as fewer large players are positioned to provide strong buying support in the short term.

Will Ethereum Fall Below $1,700 In March?

Ethereum has been under pressure, trading below the $2,000 mark for the past seven days. Sellers have kept the asset pinned beneath key resistance levels.

The current support stands at $1,823, and if this level is tested and broken, Ethereum could decline further toward $1,759 and potentially fall below $1,700 for the first time since October 2023, despite some experts defending its future echoes early Amazon and Microsoft.

ETH Price Analysis.
ETH Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

However, if Ethereum’s price manages to stabilize and build an uptrend, it could challenge the immediate resistance at $1,956.

A breakout above this level may open the path for a rally toward $2,106, with further bullish momentum potentially pushing ETH to retest $2,320 and even $2,546.

A break above $2,500 would mark the first time Ethereum reclaims that level since March 2, signaling a notable shift in market confidence and buyer strength.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Can OM Reach an All-Time High?

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Mantra (OM) is up more than 10% in the past seven days, taking place as the second-largest Real World Asset (RWA) token by market cap. With a market cap of around $6.8 billion, OM is gaining momentum and attracting attention in the RWA space.

Technical indicators are flashing mixed signals, with OM’s RSI cooling off from overbought levels and Ichimoku Cloud structures remaining bullish. As OM trades near key resistance and support zones, traders are watching closely to see if it can extend its rally and set new all-time highs.

Mantra RSI Is Back To Neutral After Reaching Overbought Levels

Mantra’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) reading is 57.89, maintaining levels above the 50 threshold since March 15.

The RSI briefly reached 72.51 yesterday, signaling that OM approached overbought territory before pulling back slightly.

This sustained move above 50 suggests that OM has been in a bullish phase, with momentum favoring buyers over the past several days.

OM RSI.
OM RSI. Source: TradingView

The RSI is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price movements to evaluate whether an asset is overbought or oversold.

Readings above 70 generally indicate overbought conditions, signaling that an asset could be due for a pullback, while readings below 30 suggest oversold conditions, potentially signaling a buying opportunity.

OM’s RSI at 57.89 suggests that while bullish momentum is still present, it is currently at moderate levels.

OM Ichimoku Cloud Shows a Bullish Setup

Mantra is currently showing a bullish structure on the Ichimoku Cloud chart.

The price is trading above the cloud, which indicates that the overall trend is still bullish. This solidifies Mantra as one of the biggest RWA coins in the market.

Additionally, the cloud ahead has flipped green, suggesting that if the structure holds, future momentum could continue to favor buyers.

OM Ichimoku Cloud.
OM Ichimoku Cloud. Source: TradingView

The Tenkan-sen is positioned above the Kijun-sen, reinforcing short-term bullish momentum, although the price recently pulled back after some upward movement.

The Chikou Span is also above the price action and the cloud, supporting the bullish outlook.

However, if the price starts to consolidate or dip toward the Tenkan-sen and Kijun-sen, it could signal a potential pause in momentum or a shift toward a more neutral trend if those levels fail to provide support.

Will Mantra Make New All-Time Highs In March?

OM’s EMA lines are signaling that a golden cross could soon form, which would strengthen the bullish outlook.

If this pattern is confirmed and Mantra can regain the strong uptrend seen in past months, it could break through the resistance levels at $7.39 and $8.16.

OM Price Analysis.
OM Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

A breakout above these areas could allow OM to test price levels above $9 for the first time ever, potentially setting new all-time highs and possibly making OM surpass Chainlink as the biggest RWA coin in market cap.

On the other hand, if the current bullish momentum fades, OM could decline toward support at $6.57.

A loss of this level could trigger further downside toward $6.15, and if bearish pressure persists, the price could fall as low as $5.85.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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