Chain-hopping

The movement of funds across multiple blockchains through bridges, crosschain swaps and exchange services. Although often associated with attempts to frustrate tracing or delay enforcement, chain hopping also occurs for legitimate reasons. Its investigative impact depends on the routes used: non-custodial swaps and bridges may remain traceable through on-chain transactions and protocol records, while custodial services can break the visible link between transfers. Movement into privacy-focused networks or through services in jurisdictions with limited cooperation can create further obstacles. The pattern alone does not establish illicit intent, which must be assessed using additional evidence, such as the speed and frequency of transfers, their apparent economic purpose and the origin of the funds.