Course Outline
Foundations of Blockchain Technology
An exploration of decentralization, openness, and transparency as core architectural features
Cryptographic primitives securing the chain: hashing, digital signatures, and Merkle trees
Consensus mechanisms including Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and emerging alternatives
The roles of nodes, miners, and validators, along with live network topology
Cryptocurrency Landscape
Bitcoin and its foundational ledger model
Ethereum and account-based smart contract execution
Privacy-centric chains such as Monero and Zcash, highlighting their distinction from transparent ledgers
The role of stablecoins, altcoins, and other chains in illicit activity flows
Hands-On Lab - Reading the Blockchain
Connecting to Bitcoin and Ethereum nodes for real-time data access
Navigating block explorers and querying live transactions
Analyzing raw transactions, scripts, and smart contract calls
Mapping wallet histories on transparent chains
Wallets, Keys, and Transaction Mechanics
Wallet taxonomy: web, desktop, mobile, hardware, and custodial versus non-custodial models
Seed phrases, key derivation processes, and recovery vectors
Comparison of UTXO versus account-based transaction models
Addresses, change outputs, and transaction graphs from an investigator's perspective
Mining and Trading as Investigative Context
Mining mechanics, pools, hash rate, and methods used to launder or originate funds through mining
Centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and over-the-counter (OTC) desks
KYC and AML controls at exchanges and their potential vulnerabilities
How trading patterns can obscure underlying corruption flows
Smart Contracts and DeFi Surface
Understanding smart contracts and how their state is visible on-chain
DeFi primitives: swaps, lending, liquidity pools, and yield farming
Cross-chain bridges and wrapped assets as tools for obfuscation
Analyzing contract interactions to identify investigative signals
Hands-On Lab - Wallet and Transaction Forensics
Inspecting hardware and software wallets in a controlled environment
Recovering and analyzing artifacts from seized devices
Reconstructing transaction graphs across both UTXO and account-based chains
Address Clustering and Attribution
Common-input clustering and other industry-standard heuristics
Detecting change outputs and identifying behavioral fingerprints
Linking on-chain entities to off-chain identities using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Integrating web crawling, social media, and leaked data sources for attribution
Dark Web, Marketplaces, and Criminal Cryptocurrency Flows
Mapping criminal economies within dark web marketplaces
Common typologies: scams, fraud, contraband, and sanctions evasion
Tracking proceeds from initial deposits through cash-out points
Indicators of cryptocurrency activity linked to corruption
Privacy-Enhancing Tools and Counter-Forensics
Mixers, tumblers, and CoinJoin implementations
Privacy coins and the limitations of public-chain tracing
Cross-chain bridges and asset wrapping as obfuscation layers
Assessing what can and cannot be recovered under each technique
Hands-On Lab - Tracing a Suspect Wallet
Using open-source tools to follow complex transaction graphs
Clustering wallet networks and assigning confidence levels to attributions
Documenting findings as a structured intelligence package
Money Laundering Typologies in Crypto
Placement, layering, and integration adapted for digital assets
Layering techniques via decentralized exchanges, bridges, and mixers
DeFi protocols as laundering surfaces and how to analyze them
Cash-out vectors: peer-to-peer markets, OTC desks, and prepaid instruments
Ransomware, Theft, and Scam Response
Ransomware payment patterns and immediate response protocols
Negotiation and recovery practices, including limitations and risks
Analysis of exchange hacks, rug pulls, phishing attacks, and large-scale thefts
Collaborating with victims to preserve evidence without compromising the investigation
Cross-Chain Investigation
Tracing assets across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and EVM-compatible chains
Following funds through bridges and wrapped tokens
Reconciling on-chain evidence with exchange records and off-chain data
Hands-On Simulation - Corruption Investigation Lab
Simulating bribery flows across multiple chains and a mixer
Building a coherent narrative from fragmented on-chain evidence
Producing chain-of-custody documentation for digital evidence
AML Compliance and the Legal Landscape
FATF guidance, the Travel Rule, and jurisdictional variations
AML and KYC obligations for virtual asset service providers
Sanctions, politically exposed persons, and corruption-relevant typologies
Integrating cryptocurrency findings into existing compliance programs
Working with Exchanges and Cross-Border Partners
Subpoenas, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), and information-sharing channels
Freezing orders, asset preservation, and seizure procedures
Coordinating cryptocurrency tracing with traditional financial investigation lines
Digital Evidence and Courtroom Readiness
Maintaining chain of custody for cryptocurrency artifacts and on-chain evidence
Presenting blockchain evidence to non-technical decision-makers and juries
Addressing common challenges to digital evidence and defending findings
Working with expert witnesses and external technical advisors
Capstone - End-to-End Corruption Inquiry Simulation
Managing the investigation from the initial intelligence tip through completion
Building wallet networks, attribution, and timelines
Engaging with exchanges and cross-border partners
Producing a courtroom-ready report and delivering an oral briefing
Summary and Next Steps
Requirements
- Intermediate technical proficiency, including networking knowledge and basic Linux command-line usage
- Working understanding of cryptographic concepts such as hashing and public-key encryption
- Background experience in financial investigation, cybersecurity, digital forensics, or compliance
- Familiarity with at least one scripting language is advantageous but not mandatory
- General comprehension of financial transaction mechanisms and AML principles
Targeted Audience
This course is tailored for investigators and forensic analysts within anti-corruption agencies, financial crime units, and law enforcement bodies. It also serves cybersecurity specialists supporting fraud detection, AML initiatives, and digital evidence functions, as well as compliance and risk professionals operating in regulated environments with increasing cryptocurrency exposure.
Testimonials (1)
- like the blockchain introduction. For a blockchain newbie like me, its englighten me. - Like the technical workshop, also interesting
