Guide
When On-Chain Tracing Stops: Mixers, Bridges, and Honest Limits
Why fund-flow reports cannot always follow funds through mixers or bridges — and what to document anyway for investigators.
Mixers and privacy pools
When funds enter certain privacy protocols, onward tracing on the same chain often stops. Reports should state that limit explicitly rather than inventing a thief.
Bridges
A bridge outbound on Ethereum may continue on Arbitrum or another L2. Document the bridge contract and check the destination chain for the same wallet pattern.
From Solana, Wormhole and similar bridges may move SOL or SPL-wrapped assets to EVM chains — Tracefunds flags bridge-like exits so you know to continue the trace on the destination network.
What still helps
- Proof of loss and outbound path before the break.
- Labeled CEX deposits when present.
- Share-safe brief for counsel even when full recovery path is unknown.