• Monero transaction volume stays above 2022 levels, even after major exchanges delist the privacy coin. • 48% of newly launched darknet markets in 2025 support only XMR, signaling a shift toward privacy coins. • Bitcoin remains the preferred currency for ransomware payments, with operators offering XMR discounts. • Dubai’s financial regulator banned privacy coins like Monero and Zcash on licensed platforms, intensifying compliance pressure. • TRM Labs found 14-15% of Monero nodes exhibit unusual timing patterns, hinting at potential investigative clues. • Despite delistings, Monero’s privacy features keep it resilient in underground economies.

Article Summaries:

  • Monero activity has remained steady even as major cryptocurrency exchanges have pushed the privacy coin off their platforms, according to new research by TRM Labs. Data shows transaction usage in 2024 and 2025 stayed above levels seen before 2022, suggesting demand did not fade even after many big trading platforms removed or restricted the token over traceability concerns, TRM Labs said. In 2024, major exchanges, including Binance and Kraken, moved to delist or phase out Monero (XMR) over compliance concerns. Pressure increased this year when Dubai’s financial regulator banned privacy coins l

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