A global crypto intelligence sprint designated Operation Lighthouse investigated 29,120 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers, generating 14,300 investigative leads across 11 exchanges and payment services. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis announced the initiative on August 25.
The operation targeted more than 100 distinct platforms, forums, and distribution networks associated with child sexual abuse material (CSAM) across both the surface web and dark web. Private-sector partners surfaced more than 7,700 suspect accounts, and investigators identified suspects across 125 countries.
Hosted by the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance in New York, the sprint brought together at least nine law enforcement agencies, more than 13 private-sector partners, and specialized nonprofits. Participating organizations included Europol, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency.
While public blockchains allow investigators to map fund movements between addresses, the figures announced represent accounts, identifiers, and leads rather than arrests or convictions. Authorities must conduct further investigations, obtain legal processes, and establish individual roles before pursuing criminal charges. During the effort, private-sector partners identified 16 registered sex offenders, with two participating companies independently identifying at least 150 individuals.
International investigations have previously utilized blockchain forensics to yield arrests and platform disruptions. A Europol-supported operation targeting the Kidflix platform identified approximately 1,400 suspects and resulted in 79 arrests, with assistance from Binance's investigative team connecting users to recorded transactions. Similarly, a multinational operation targeting the AudiA6 laundering service traced roughly 10,333 BTC deposited into associated wallets, leading to arrests, infrastructure seizures, and asset freezes.
Chainalysis stated that the outcomes from Operation Lighthouse are expected to develop into account restrictions, arrests, and prosecutions as authorities continue pursuing the leads through 2027. The analytics firm also plans to apply the sprint model to other categories of illicit cryptocurrency activity.
