Europol and Partners Shut Down 'Cryptomixer' Cryptocurrency Mixing Service

#Europol and Partners Shut Down 'Cryptomixer' Cryptocurrency Mixing Service

#The Operation

From November 24 to 28, 2025, Europol supported an action week conducted by law enforcement authorities from Switzerland and Germany in Zurich, Switzerland. The operation, known as "Operation Olympia," focused on taking down the illegal cryptocurrency mixing service 'Cryptomixer', which is suspected of facilitating cybercrime and money laundering.

#The Seizure

During the operation, authorities seized:

• Three servers in Switzerland
• The cryptomixer.io domain
• Over 12 terabytes of data
• More than €25 million worth of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin

#How Cryptomixer Operated

Cryptomixer was a hybrid mixing service accessible via both the clear web and the dark web. It facilitated the obfuscation of criminal funds for various cybercriminal groups, including:

• Ransomware groups
• Underground economy forums
• Dark web markets

The service used software to block the traceability of funds on the blockchain, making it a popular choice for cybercriminals seeking to launder illegal proceeds from activities such as:

• Drug trafficking
• Weapons trafficking
• Ransomware attacks
• Payment card fraud

Since its creation in 2016, over €1.3 billion in Bitcoin were mixed through the service.

#Screenshot of Cryptomixer Website

#What are Crypto Mixers?

Crypto mixers, also known as tumblers, work by adding users' cryptocurrency to a single pool and distributing it across many new wallet addresses. This makes it difficult to trace the funds back to their original source. Crypto mixers also take a commission on all laundered crypto deposited before sending it to another wallet address owned by their "customers."

#Europol's Support

Europol facilitated the exchange of information in the framework of the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), which is hosted at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Europol provided crucial support, including coordinating the involved partners and hosting operational meetings. On the action day, Europol’s cybercrime experts provided on-the-spot support and forensic assistance.

#Participating Countries and Agencies

The operation involved law enforcement authorities from:

• Germany: Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt); Prosecutor General’s Office Frankfurt am Main, Cyber Crime Centre (Generalstaatsanwaltschaft Frankfurt am Main, Zentralstelle zur Bekämpfung der Internet- und Computerkriminalität)
• Switzerland: Zurich City Police (Stadtpolizei Zürich); Zurich Cantonal Police (Kantonspolizei Zürich); Public Prosecutor‘s Office Zurich (Staatsanwaltschaft Zürich)

The operation was also supported by:

• Europol
• Eurojust

#Key Facts

• Cryptomixer was a hybrid mixing service accessible via both the clear web and the dark web.
• The service was used by cybercriminals to launder illegal proceeds.
• Authorities seized over €25 million in Bitcoin and three servers during the operation.
• The investigation was carried out by law enforcement officers from Switzerland and Germany, supported by Europol and Eurojust.