Ransomware payments drop for first time in years following law enforcement disruptions

Chainalysis found ransomware extortion payments dropped roughly 35% in 2024, a decline attributed to law enforcement disruptions of major ransomware groups (notably LockBit) and the AlphV/BlackCat exit scam; while fewer and smaller payments were observed, ransomware incidents remain active and continue to affect hospitals, energy companies, supply-chain firms, and government entities, making the situation fragile and subject to rapid change.