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Is My USDT Clean? AML Checks Explained

Why exchanges hold some USDT deposits, what AML screening looks at, free checks you can do yourself, and how to keep your USDT clean.

· 1 min read · TronOrb team

Exchanges and payment services increasingly screen incoming USDT for links to crime. If a deposit gets held, it usually means an AML check flagged the funds' history. Here's what "clean" means and how to check before it causes trouble.

What AML screening looks at

AML (anti-money-laundering) services trace where USDT came from and score the address or transaction by its exposure to risky sources: hacks, scams, darknet markets, sanctioned entities, mixers, frozen addresses. Each service uses its own data and thresholds, so scores differ between providers.

Quick checks you can do for free

  1. Blacklist status. Our USDT blacklist check tells you if Tether has frozen the address — read directly from the USDT contract.
  2. Risk flags. The address check shows fraud and report flags from TRONSCAN, the account's age and activity.
  3. Common sense. Brand-new counterparties, pressure to move fast, or deals far above market price are red flags regardless of any score.

Full AML reports

For a proper risk score, use a dedicated AML check service — see AML check services. Paid reports are worth it before large OTC or P2P deals.

If your deposit was held

  • Don't send more funds to "unlock" it — contact the exchange's support through its official site.
  • Provide what they ask for: source of funds, transaction IDs, the counterparty.
  • Keep records of every deal (chats, invoices, IDs).

How to stay clean

  • Receive USDT only from counterparties you can identify.
  • Check addresses before the deal, not after.
  • Avoid mixers and "cleaning" services — they make funds look riskier, not cleaner.