[Chainalysis: Gray Market Peptide Suppliers Increasingly Using Bitcoin and Stablecoins] Odaily Planet Daily News - Chainalysis released a report stating that as the demand for gray market peptide products (such as weight-loss drugs like Semaglutide) grows rapidly, related suppliers and buyers are increasingly using cryptocurrencies for transactions. Leading suppliers primarily rely on Bitcoin and stablecoins. The report shows that in Q1 2026, cryptocurrency funds flowing into this sector reached $32 million, a 159% increase from $12 million in the previous quarter, with an annualized scale exceeding $100 million. Chainalysis pointed out that the demand for peptide products is driven by trends in medical aesthetics, health and wellness, and the popularity of GLP-1 drugs. However, since these products often involve prescription-grade compounds or unregulated substances, traditional banks and credit card processors typically restrict their transactions, prompting this market to turn to crypto payments. The agency also noted that some leading suppliers are exhibiting more professional on-chain fund management practices. Notably, among suppliers with an average single deposit exceeding $1,000, the proportion of stablecoins has significantly increased, possibly to mitigate the risk of large supply chain orders being affected by cryptocurrency market volatility.