Chainalysis Bolsters Fraud Prevention with $150 million Alterya Acquisition

- Chainalysis integrates Alterya's AI-powered fraud detection technology. - Move enhances real-time capabilities to combat rising crypto scams. On January 13, 2025 (UTC), blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis announced it acquired Alterya, a $150 million AI-driven fraud detection company. This move is intended to bolster its efforts in combating the rising financial losses from cryptocurrency scams. Alterya specializes in proactively identifying fraudulent activities by monitoring billions of transactions monthly on both crypto and fiat platforms. Prior to the acquisition, Alterya had partnered with major cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, where its technology reportedly reduces fraud cases by up to 60%. Alterya’s cutting-edge technology integrates advanced data analysis with blockchain infrastructure, which enables the real-time detection of scam mechanisms such as fraudulent wallets and accounts. The platform’s AI tools proactively block suspect funds transfers by identifying links between scam infrastructure and payment destinations. This is particularly critical because Alterya’s research reveals that 85% of crypto scams involve verified accounts that slip through conventional identity-based security measures. Through this acquisition, Chainalysis aims to improve the crypto sector’s defenses against scams, strengthen compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, and provide enhanced fraud prevention for exchanges, networks, and wallet providers. This acquisition reflects the industry's urgent response to growing scam-related losses, which hit an estimated $17 billion in 2024 alone, while sharper regulatory pressure drives cryptocurrency companies to adopt sophisticated risk management systems. For example, while not a direct partner of Alterya, leading crypto exchange OKX has implemented its own extensive real-time risk management protocols, reportedly using AI-driven tools to monitor on-chain transactions and identify fraud risks. These efforts underscore a broader industry shift toward integrating advanced fraud prevention strategies to align with evolving regulatory demands. The global regulatory landscape increasingly requires cryptocurrency companies to address compliance and fraud risks more comprehensively, a reality highlighted when major exchanges like OKX faced penalties in 2025 for anti-money laundering failures. By integrating Alterya’s advanced fraud detection system into its platform, Chainalysis demonstrates the industry's commitment to reducing financial crime while navigating evolving compliance pressures. This strategic acquisition therefore positions both organizations as key players in advancing security standards across the blockchain ecosystem.