Chinese labs previously involved in fentanyl production are now shifting to manufacturing and selling peptides, a largely unregulated pharmaceutical subindustry, according to Chainalysis. The transition, the firm says, is driven by the 'looksmaxing' trend on social media and the desire to avoid law enforcement scrutiny over opioid manufacturing.
Chainalysis reported that crypto flows to peptide sellers have reached over $100 million annually, with some of the same Chinese labs that once sold fentanyl precursors now focusing on peptides. The shift is part of a broader trend in the gray market, where cryptocurrencies are used to fund operations that are difficult to trace.
The report highlights how the unregulated peptide market is growing rapidly, fueled by online demand for products that promise everything from weight loss to skin rejuvenation. The labs, which operate in China, are capitalizing on the trend while avoiding the legal risks associated with opioid production.
Source: wired
