The Centre for Finance and Security (CFS) at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) launched a Crypto and International Security Taskforce on 24 September, backed by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. The group will examine how cryptoassets are reshaping global security and bring together senior government officials, law enforcement and regulatory authorities, researchers, and private-sector experts. RUSI researchers estimate that sanctioned entities received $104 billion in crypto during 2025, a 694% year-on-year increase, while organized crime groups move billions in illicit proceeds through crypto and exploit regulatory gaps. The Financial Action Task Force (international anti-money-laundering watchdog) has separately warned that criminal networks could develop stablecoins designed to resist freezing and seizure. RUSI also says generative AI is accelerating malicious activity faster than investigations can keep pace, while nation-states are connecting to illicit crypto supply chains originally built for cybercriminals. The taskforce will study crypto’s role in organized crime, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion and political interference; assess regulatory, law-enforcement and industry tools; and examine legitimate uses including civil society and humanitarian aid. Its meetings will feed into practical recommendations, followed by a capstone conference and a special session at RUSI’s SIFMANet Summit in London in December 2026 focused on sanctions circumvention.