The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a record $20.9 billion in cybercrime losses in 2025, with cryptocurrency being the most common payment method. Chainalysis estimates that $17 billion was lost to crypto scams during the same period, with AI-enhanced operations proving 4.5 times more profitable than those without. The average scam payment tripled to $2,764. Advisors are urged to strengthen financial controls rather than rely solely on detecting deepfakes, as synthetic video and cloned audio become increasingly convincing. The SEC's custody rule under the Investment Advisers Act emphasizes verification and separation of duties, crucial in the irreversible nature of digital asset transactions. Chainalysis also noted a 1,400% rise in impersonation scams, facilitated by advanced AI tools, underscoring the need for robust identity verification processes.