Is the TRON public chain currently the most active public chain for money laundering activities?

Alright, let's talk about whether TRON (TRON) is currently the "most active" public blockchain for money laundering. This is a bit complex and can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no"; we need to look at it from several angles.

First, the Conclusion: Why do many people say this?

Indeed, there are numerous reports and data indicating that stablecoins on the TRON network (especially USDT) account for a very large share of cryptocurrency transactions involved in illicit activities. From this perspective, stating that it is one of the "most active" chains is supported by data.

However, this isn't because TRON itself is "bad," but rather because it possesses several characteristics that happen to be attractive to bad actors.

Let's use an analogy to make it clear

You can imagine different public blockchains as different highway systems.

• Bitcoin: Like the first highway, most famous, but a bit old-fashioned. It can only handle a few vehicles at a time, and the "toll" (transaction fee) is quite expensive.
• Ethereum: This is a more modern superhighway, capable of handling all sorts of vehicles (smart contracts). The problem is it gets very congested, and during peak hours, the "toll" (Gas Fee) can be outrageously expensive.
• TRON: This is like an 8-lane highway that's never congested, and the tolls are practically free.

Now, if you need to transport a batch of "cash" (here, referring to stablecoins like USDT), which road would you choose?

Most people, whether conducting legitimate business or engaging in illicit activities, would definitely prefer TRON because it's fast and cheap.

Why is TRON "targeted"?

There are two main, straightforward reasons:

1. Cheap and Fast! The Hub of USDT

   • The most popular asset on the TRON chain is TRC20-USDT, which you can think of as the "TRON version of the US dollar," pegged 1:1 to the USD.
   • Transferring USDT on TRON incurs extremely low fees, sometimes even free (by consuming "energy" resources). In contrast, transferring USDT on Ethereum during peak times could cost you tens or even hundreds of RMB in transaction fees.
   • For money laundering activities that require frequent, small transfers of funds, cost is everything. TRON's low-cost characteristic is simply "paradise" for them.

2. Low Barrier to Entry, Strong Pseudonymity

   • Like all public blockchains, creating a wallet address on TRON is very simple and requires no identity verification. Bad actors can easily create countless new addresses to move funds, which makes tracking very difficult.
   • Although blockchain transaction records are public, it's very hard to know who is behind an address. This "pseudonymity" provides convenience for illicit activities.

So, it's not that the TRON "road" itself is problematic, but rather that it's "too easy to use," attracting the most traffic, which naturally includes a significant number of "black cars" (illicit transactions).

But we also need to see the other side

1. Legitimate Users Far Outnumber Illicit Users

   • Precisely because it's cheap and fast, TRON also hosts a massive number of legitimate users. Many people in developing countries use it for daily payments and cross-border transfers, as it's much more convenient than traditional banks. There are also numerous games, DeFi (decentralized finance), and other applications running on TRON.
   • You can't claim a highway is a "crime-only road" just because some fugitives use it. The vast majority of traffic is still legitimate.

2. TRON Official Entities Are Cooperating with Regulation

   • The TRON Foundation (now TRON DAO) and Tether, the issuer of USDT, have actually been cooperating with law enforcement agencies in various countries. Upon receiving legitimate requests, they will freeze wallet addresses confirmed to be used for illicit activities. They are also actively trying to distance themselves and avoid being branded with this "black mark."

In Summary

So, back to the original question: Is TRON currently the most active public blockchain for money laundering activities?

• From the perspective of transaction volume and frequency, it's highly probable. This is because the volume of USDT transactions on the chain is truly enormous, and USDT is currently the primary cryptocurrency for illicit fund transfers. TRON's low-cost nature makes it the preferred channel.
• However, fundamentally, TRON itself is a neutral technological tool, much like cash. Cash is the most commonly used payment tool for criminal activities, but we wouldn't say cash is "bad."

Simply put, the issue isn't that the TRON chain "intends to do evil," but rather that it is "too good to use" in the realm of stablecoin transfers, leading both good and bad actors to flock to it, thereby amplifying the scale of illicit activities on its network.