Course Outline
Foundations of Blockchain Technology
Decentralisation, openness, and transparency as architectural pillars
Cryptographic primitives securing the chain: hashing, digital signatures, and Merkle trees
Consensus mechanisms: Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and emerging alternatives
Nodes, miners, validators, and live network topology
Cryptocurrency Landscape
Bitcoin and the foundational ledger model
Ethereum and account-based smart contract execution
Privacy-focused chains: Monero, Zcash, and their distinctions from transparent ledgers
Stablecoins, altchains, and their role in illicit flows
Hands-On Lab - Reading the Blockchain
Connecting to Bitcoin and Ethereum nodes for live data access
Navigating block explorers and querying live transactions
Reading raw transactions, scripts, and smart contract calls
Mapping a wallet's history on a transparent chain
Wallets, Keys, and Transaction Mechanics
Wallet taxonomy: web, desktop, mobile, hardware, and custodial versus non-custodial models
Seed phrases, key derivation, and recovery vectors
UTXO versus account-based transaction models
Addresses, change outputs, and transaction graphs from a tracer's perspective
Mining and Trading as Investigative Context
Mining mechanics, pools, hash rate, and exploitation for laundering or fund origination
Centralised exchanges, decentralised exchanges, and over-the-counter (OTC) desks
KYC and AML controls at exchanges and their failure points
How trading patterns can obscure underlying corruption flows
Smart Contracts and DeFi Surface
The nature of smart contracts and on-chain state observability
DeFi primitives: swaps, lending, liquidity pools, and yield farming
Cross-chain bridges and wrapped assets as obfuscation tools
Analyzing contract interactions for 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 UTXO and account-based chains
Address Clustering and Attribution
Common-input clustering and other industry-standard heuristics
Change-output detection and behavioral fingerprints
Linking on-chain entities to off-chain identities via 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 deposit through cash-out points
Indicators of corruption-linked crypto activity
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
Tracing capabilities and limitations under each technique
Hands-On Lab - Tracing a Suspect Wallet
Utilizing open-source tools to follow complex transaction graphs
Clustering wallet networks and assigning attribution confidence
Documenting findings as a structured intelligence package
Money Laundering Typologies in Crypto
Placement, layering, and integration adapted for digital assets
Layering through 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 limits and risks
Exchange hacks, rug pulls, phishing, and large-scale theft analysis
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 and off-chain records
Hands-On Simulation - Corruption Investigation Lab
Simulated bribery flow across multiple chains and a mixer
Constructing 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 across Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)
Sanctions, politically exposed persons (PEPs), 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
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
Collaborating with expert witnesses and external technical advisors
Capstone - End-to-End Corruption Inquiry Simulation
Navigating from the initial intelligence tip through to full investigation
Constructing the wallet network, attribution, and timeline
Engaging exchanges and cross-border partners
Producing a courtroom-ready report and delivering an oral briefing
Summary and Next Steps
Requirements
- Intermediate technical literacy, encompassing networking fundamentals and basic Linux command-line usage
- Working knowledge of cryptographic principles, including hashing and public-key encryption
- Professional background in financial investigation, cybersecurity, digital forensics, or compliance
- Familiarity with at least one scripting language is advantageous but not mandatory
- General understanding of financial transactions and AML principles
Targeted Audience
Investigators and forensic analysts within anti-corruption agencies, financial crime units, and law enforcement bodies. Cybersecurity specialists supporting fraud detection, AML initiatives, and digital evidence operations. Compliance and risk professionals operating in regulated environments where exposure to cryptocurrency is on the rise.
Testimonials (1)
- like the blockchain introduction. For a blockchain newbie like me, its englighten me. - Like the technical workshop, also interesting
