Course Outline
Foundations of Blockchain Technology
Understanding decentralization, openness, and transparency as architectural properties
Cryptographic primitives that secure the chain: hashing, digital signatures, and Merkle trees
Consensus mechanisms: Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and emerging alternatives
The roles of nodes, miners, validators, and live network topology
Cryptocurrency Landscape
Bitcoin and the original ledger model
Ethereum and account-based smart contract execution
Privacy-focused chains: Monero, Zcash, and their differences from transparent ledgers
The role of stablecoins and altchains in illicit activities
Hands-On Lab - Reading the Blockchain
Connecting to Bitcoin and Ethereum nodes for live 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 options
Seed phrases, key derivation, and recovery methods
Differences between UTXO and account-based transaction models
Understanding addresses, change outputs, and transaction graphs from an investigator's perspective
Mining and Trading as Investigative Context
Mining mechanics, pools, hash rate, and how mining operations are exploited for laundering or originating funds
Centralized exchanges, decentralized exchanges, and over-the-counter (OTC) desks
KYC and AML controls at exchanges and their vulnerabilities
How trading patterns can obscure underlying corruption flows
Smart Contracts and DeFi Surface
Understanding smart contracts and their on-chain observability
DeFi primitives: swaps, lending, liquidity pools, and yield farming
Cross-chain bridges and wrapped assets as obfuscation tools
Extracting investigative signals from contract interactions
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
Detecting change outputs and analyzing behavioral fingerprints
Linking on-chain entities to off-chain identities using OSINT
Combining web crawling, social media, and leaked data sources for attribution
Dark Web, Marketplaces, and Criminal Cryptocurrency Flows
Mapping criminal economies on dark web marketplaces
Common typologies: scams, fraud, contraband, and sanctions evasion
Tracking proceeds from initial deposits to cash-out points
Identifying 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
Understanding what tracing can and cannot recover 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 to attribution
Documenting findings as structured intelligence packages
Money Laundering Typologies in Crypto
Adapting placement, layering, and integration concepts to digital assets
Layering techniques through decentralized exchanges, bridges, and mixers
Using DeFi protocols as laundering surfaces and interpreting their data
Cash-out vectors: peer-to-peer markets, OTC desks, and prepaid instruments
Ransomware, Theft, and Scam Response
Ransomware payment patterns and immediate response steps
Negotiation and recovery practices, including limits and risks
Analyzing exchange hacks, rug pulls, phishing, 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 and off-chain records
Hands-On Simulation - Corruption Investigation Lab
Simulating bribery flows across multiple chains and mixers
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 differences
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, MLATs, and information-sharing channels
Freezing orders, asset preservation, and seizure procedures
Coordinating cryptocurrency tracing with traditional financial investigation methods
Digital Evidence and Courtroom Readiness
Chain of custody for cryptocurrency artifacts and on-chain evidence
Presentation strategies for blockchain evidence to non-technical decision-makers and juries
Common challenges to digital evidence and defending findings
Collaborating with expert witnesses and external technical advisors
Capstone - End-to-End Corruption Inquiry Simulation
Conducting a full investigation from the initial intelligence tip
Building wallet networks, attributions, 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 literacy, including networking and basic Linux command-line skills
- Working knowledge of cryptography concepts such as hashing and public-key encryption
- Background in financial investigation, cybersecurity, forensics, or compliance
- Familiarity with at least one scripting language is beneficial but not mandatory
- General understanding of financial transactions and AML principles
Targeted Audience
Investigators and forensic analysts in anti-corruption agencies, financial crime units, and law enforcement. Cybersecurity specialists supporting fraud prevention, AML efforts, and digital evidence functions. 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
