Crypto’s Growing Role in Western Balkans Crime: NGO Report

Cryptocurrency is increasingly facilitating criminal activity across the Western Balkans, according to new research from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Tens of millions of euros tied to regional crime networks have flowed through crypto wallets, yet authorities have documented only three seizure cases—all occurring within the past few years.

The Geneva-based NGO highlights Albania and Serbia as hotspots for crypto-enabled illicit flows. Despite blockchain’s transparency, law enforcement struggles with jurisdictional hurdles and technical barriers when tracing cross-border transactions. "The pseudonymous nature of crypto assets creates ideal conditions for value transfer without oversight," notes one investigator familiar with Balkan money laundering patterns.