Bangladesh, Oct. 24 -- In a sweeping crackdown that underscores the growing nexus between digital finance and transnational crime, Interpol and Afripol have jointly executed Operation Catalyst, a continent-wide effort aimed at dismantling networks involved in terrorist financing, cybercrime, and large-scale fraud. Conducted between July and September this year, the operation resulted in 83 arrests across multiple African nations, the identification of $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat transactions, and the seizure of $600,000 so far.

The scale and sophistication of the operation mark it as one of the most significant global law enforcement initiatives targeting crypto-enabled criminal activity in Africa. Authorities say it not only...