In an exclusive interview, Omri Raiter, CEO of RAKIA, has shed light on a massive cryptocurrency laundering ecosystem tied to state-backed actors — one that may be far larger than publicly reported.
Raiter challenges the widely cited figures, stating that “the real state-linked volume is materially higher,” suggesting the scale of activity extends well beyond the $3 billion benchmark often cited.
AI-Powered Intelligence Uncovers Hidden Networks
At the core of the discovery is RAKIA’s advanced intelligence platform, which uses AI-driven multisensory data fusion to analyze vast streams of information simultaneously.
Raiter explains, “where conventional blockchain tracing follows wallets, RAKIA connects those wallets back to real-world operators, devices, and infrastructure.”
This approach allows investigators to move beyond transactions and uncover the actual actors behind them — a critical breakthrough in identifying state-linked operations.
USDT on Tron Emerges as the Primary Rail
The interview also reveals a key operational trend: USDT’s dominance on Tron (TRC20) in these flows.
According to Raiter, “the operational state rail… runs overwhelmingly on USDT-TRC20,” highlighting how stablecoins have become the backbone of large-scale financial movement under sanctions.
While Bitcoin remains part of the ecosystem, particularly in mining and specific use cases, it is not the primary vehicle for day-to-day transactions.
Loopholes in Global Regulation
Despite increasing scrutiny, Raiter points to structural weaknesses in global crypto regulation that continue to enable illicit activity.
“By the time an address is designated, the funds have moved,” he notes, underscoring how reactive compliance systems struggle to keep pace with rapidly shifting wallets.
Unregulated exchanges and gaps in cross-chain monitoring further complicate enforcement, creating blind spots across the ecosystem.
Clear Signals of State Involvement
One of the most striking revelations involves activity during Iran’s prolonged internet blackout. Despite near-total civilian disconnection, RAKIA identified more than 1,100 active crypto nodes operating within the country.
Raiter states unequivocally, “this is direct state involvement. The infrastructure itself constitutes the evidence.”
The concentration of nodes in key strategic regions further reinforces the conclusion.
Crypto Payments Enter State Policy
The interview also highlights a major shift in how cryptocurrency is being used at the national level. RAKIA confirms that crypto-based toll systems are now operational in critical trade routes.
“It is real, it is operational, and it has been codified into Iranian law,” Raiter said, pointing to what he describes as a landmark moment in state adoption of digital assets.
A Defining Shift Ahead
From laundering networks to sovereign revenue systems, Raiter’s insights suggest that cryptocurrency is rapidly becoming embedded in state-level strategy.
The implications are significant: as enforcement struggles to keep up, the role of digital assets in geopolitical and financial systems is entering a new, more complex phase.
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