How to check a crypto wallet in 30 seconds

What is an AML check — and why does it take 30 seconds?

AML stands for Anti-Money Laundering. In the traditional banking world, AML is a department of analysts who spend days reviewing transactions. In crypto, it is a database lookup that takes 10 seconds.

When you check a wallet address, the tool compares it against dozens of public and licensed databases: sanctions lists from OFAC and the EU, community-reported scam wallets, ransomware payout addresses, darknet market wallets, and exchange blacklists. The entire operation takes under 10 seconds because these databases are already indexed and ready.

The result is a 0–100 risk score. Under 25 means nothing suspicious found. Above 50 means you have a real reason to be careful.

Step 1: Ask for the wallet address

The sender's wallet address is a string of letters and numbers — the "from" address in any crypto transaction. On most P2P platforms and wallets, you can find it by clicking "send" and seeing which address the funds will come from.

Do not be shy about asking. Any legitimate sender will share it immediately. A sender who refuses to share their sending address is a red flag by itself.

Common formats by blockchain:

• Bitcoin: starts with bc1, 1, or 3
• Ethereum / Polygon / BNB / Arbitrum: starts with 0x, 42 characters
• TRON (and USDT TRC-20): starts with T, 34 characters
• Solana: 32–44 characters, base58 encoded
• XRP (Ripple): starts with r, 25–34 characters

Step 2: Paste the address into the checker

Go to cryptoaml.cc (or use the checker on the coin-specific page — Bitcoin, USDT, TRON, etc.). Paste the address in the input field. Press Check.

The checker auto-detects the blockchain — you do not need to specify it. Just paste and go.

For a deeper check with full transaction graph, use @scorechain_amlbot in Telegram. It works the same way — paste the address, wait 30 seconds — but returns more detail about exactly which databases flagged the wallet and why.

Step 3: Read the risk score

The 0–100 score is the most important number. Here is what it means in plain terms:

Step 4: Make a decision

Score below 25: You can proceed. The check is not a guarantee — no tool catches 100% of new scams — but you have done due diligence.

Score 25–50: Pause. Ask the sender to explain where the funds came from. For amounts above $1,000, request an invoice, bank statement, or exchange withdrawal confirmation. Keep the conversation in writing. If they cannot explain or refuse to, walk away.

Score above 50: Decline the transaction. Be polite but firm. You do not need to explain why — simply say you cannot accept this payment.

What the check covers (and what it does not)

The free check on this site covers the most important sources:

• OFAC SDN, EU and UN sanctions lists — 14,000+ addresses updated daily
• 200+ active ransomware wallet clusters
• Darknet market hot wallets and their direct counterparties
• Sanctioned mixer output (Tornado Cash, ChipMixer, Sinbad)
• Community scam reports from Chainabuse, BitcoinAbuse and our own database
• Exchange blacklists from major CEXes

What it does not cover:

• A wallet that was created and used for the first time 5 minutes ago
• Private intelligence from law enforcement (not publicly available)
• Every hop beyond 5 transactions removed from the current address

For the last two gaps, the full report via @scorechain_amlbot goes deeper — it traces 10+ hops and includes proprietary risk signals not available in public databases.

Special cases: USDT, stablecoins and exchanges

Checking USDT is slightly different because USDT runs on multiple blockchains simultaneously. The same person might send you USDT TRC-20 or USDT ERC-20 — two different addresses on two different networks. Check the address on the network they are actually sending from. See the dedicated USDT check page for details.

If someone is sending from an exchange's shared hot wallet (common on small exchanges and some P2P platforms), the address you check is the exchange's address, not the individual's. In that case, the exchange itself might show a medium score — that is normal and does not indicate fraud. Ask for the personal wallet address instead, or request a screenshot of their withdrawal confirmation.

How often should you check?

Every single time you accept crypto from someone you have not transacted with before. It takes 30 seconds. The cost of not checking — exchange account freeze, source-of-funds investigation, legal risk in sanctions jurisdictions — is measured in weeks and thousands of dollars.

For regular trading partners, a check every 3–6 months is reasonable. Wallets can get tainted after you last checked them.

FAQ — understanding the check