Binance Partners with TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs Through T3+ and Contributes to Freezing $6 Million in Pig-Butchering Scam

Binance Joins Forces in Global Blockchain Crime Fight with $6 Million Scam Freeze

Binance has stepped up its fight against crypto crime by joining T3+, a new global coalition aimed at tackling illicit blockchain activities.

As the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance quickly made an impact by helping to freeze nearly $6 million linked to a complex pig-butchering scam — a scheme that lures victims into fraudulent investments through social engineering.

What Is T3+ and How Does It Work

T3+ is an extension of the T3 Financial Crime Unit, a joint initiative launched by TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs.

Since September 2024, this group has frozen over $250 million in suspicious assets and collaborated with law enforcement on five continents.

The T3+ expansion brings in key industry players like Binance to share intelligence and act in real time against emerging threats across the crypto space.

The unit monitors millions of blockchain transactions worth billions of dollars, identifying suspicious patterns and enabling authorities to freeze stolen funds quickly.

Binance’s global head of Financial Intelligence, Nils Andersen-Röed, emphasised the importance of this alliance:

“This partnership reflects our dedication to proactive collaboration with industry partners and law enforcement. Collaboration is essential to ensuring blockchain’s long-term success and credibility.”

First Case Highlights the Power of Collaboration

Binance’s involvement in freezing $6 million connected to a pig-butchering scam highlights how real-time information sharing can make a tangible difference.

This fraud technique tricks victims into handing over crypto investments to criminals, often via elaborate social manipulation.

The coordinated response from T3+ and Binance not only halted the illicit fund flow but also sent a strong message to cybercriminals about the consequences of quick and joint industry action.

Since December 2022, Binance has reported shielding 7.5 million users from nearly $10 billion in potential fraud, illustrating the scale at which robust detection systems and cross-industry partnerships like T3+ operate.

Why Industry Cooperation Is Becoming a Necessity

The rising sophistication of crypto-related crime demands a united front.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said,

“Freezing over $250 million in illicit assets in less than a year is a powerful testament to what’s possible when the industry comes together.”

Justin Sun, TRON’s founder, echoed this, noting that “real-time collaboration expands the scope of what’s possible to protect users worldwide.”

As Binance integrates T3+ into its broader security framework, it combines advanced threat detection, freeze-and-recovery protocols, and active regulatory engagement to strengthen its compliance efforts.

This approach aims to foster trust and security while supporting the continued innovation of blockchain technology.

Binance’s Strategy to Rebuild Trust Beyond Crime Fighting

Following its $4.3 billion fine by U.S. regulators in 2023 and the ripple effects of the FTX collapse, Binance is also partnering with BBVA, Spain’s third-largest bank, to offer clients independent custody of their digital assets.

This move seeks to rebuild investor confidence by separating asset custody from exchange operations, highlighting a renewed focus on transparency and investor protection.

Is The Industry’s Collective Action Enough To Stop Crypto Crime?

Global reports indicate that despite efforts, crypto crime remains a significant challenge.

Over $3 billion was stolen in the first half of 2025 alone, with criminals becoming faster and more elusive, often laundering funds within minutes.

Even with strong compliance teams and freezing capabilities from stablecoin issuers like Tether, around 15% of illicit crypto still moves through centralised exchanges.

T3 FCU and T3+ are promising steps in scaling cross-border responses and monitoring, but the shrinking recovery rates — now at just 4.2% — reveal the uphill battle regulators and industry face.

The involvement of major exchanges like Binance signals growing willingness to act, yet the crypto ecosystem’s decentralised nature continues to pose inherent challenges.

Can Unified Crypto Crime Units Really Change The Game

From Coinlive’s perspective, the T3+ initiative marks a bold attempt to bring together fragmented players for a common cause, injecting speed and coordination into an industry often criticised for lax enforcement.

Yet, the question remains whether these partnerships can sustain their momentum amid rising crypto crime complexity and competing interests.

The success of T3+ will depend not only on expanding membership but on its ability to navigate the tension between decentralisation ideals and the need for centralised oversight.

While freezing hundreds of millions in illicit funds is impressive, the persistence of fast-moving scams and low recovery rates highlights systemic weaknesses.

The key challenge ahead is whether T3+ and similar alliances can evolve into lasting, adaptable frameworks that deter criminals without stifling innovation — a balance that will define the crypto sector’s credibility in the years to come.