TRM Talks

Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange — and at its core are people working to shape the future of digital finance. In this episode of TRM Talks, Ari sits down with Eleanor Hughes (General Counsel( and Steven McWhirter, (Global Policy Lead), for an insider conversation on how Binance is navigating today's evolving global regulatory environment.Eleanor reflects on her journey from international law to leading legal strategy at Binance, where legal decisions are central to innovation. She dives into what it means to “write the textbooks” on crypto law, especially in an industry where nearly every precedent is being formed in real time.Steven brings his decades-long experience in UK financial regulation to the conversation, offering a rare perspective on bridging traditional policy structures with emerging technologies. From drafting the world's first cloud outsourcing guidance to shaping global crypto frameworks, his role now focuses on helping Binance set the standard for compliance while driving the ecosystem forward.Key takeaways from this discussion include:How Binance balances innovation and regulation globallyThe future of crypto compliance, from policy formation to legal interpretationWhy collaboration with regulators is key to building responsiblyTogether, Eleanor and Steven offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of compliance, innovation, and industry leadership — discussing issues from banking access to multilateral cooperation with regulators in Dubai, the EU, and the US.

What happens when a top financial journalist turns her lens on crypto policy? In this episode, Ari sits down with Eleanor Terrett — former Fox Business reporter and co-host of the "Crypto in America" podcast — for a timely conversation on how US regulation is reshaping the digital asset ecosystem.Ellie reflects on her path from the New York Stock Exchange to becoming one of the most trusted voices in crypto journalism. She dives deep into the current policy landscape, including the SEC's evolving stance, Congressional negotiations over stablecoin legislation, and the rollout of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Ari and Ellie discuss:• Why the SEC's crypto task force is drawing industry attention• What to expect from pending stablecoin bills in Congress• Why collaboration between public and private sectors is critical for national securityEllie also shares insights from her new media venture, "Crypto in America," which amplifies the voices of founders and policymakers shaping the future of blockchain in the US.Whether you're a policymaker, compliance professional, or crypto advocate, this episode unpacks the intersection of regulation, innovation, and journalism — at a time when every headline could signal the next major shift.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Virtual Assets Unit Chief Patrick Wyman, joins Ari on this episode of TRM Talks to explore the Bureau's evolving strategy for combating crypto-related crime.Patrick shares his unconventional journey from mortgage fraud investigator to leading the FBI's work on virtual assets. He explains how the Virtual Assets Unit operates as a cross-programmatic force multiplier — supporting investigations from terrorism financing to child exploitation to ransomware.Their conversation highlights real-world cases, including a proactive victim outreach initiative tied to crypto investment fraud. This effort has already helped over 4,300 victims avoid further losses — saving an estimated USD 285 million.Key discussion points include:How law enforcement uses blockchain intelligence to disrupt illicit financeThe rise of crypto in every type of crime — from cyber to violent offensesThe evolving definition of “wins” in the age of digital assetsHow seizing and forfeiting billions in crypto is now reshaping public sector ROIPatrick also discusses the critical importance of interagency collaboration, public-private partnerships, and why education — not just enforcement — is essential to staying ahead of bad actors who move at the speed of the internet.

North Korea just executed the biggest crypto heist in history, stealing USD 1.5 billion from Bybit. But how did they do it? And can they be stopped? On this episode of TRM Talks, Jean Lee (The Lazarus Heist) and Nick Carlson (TRM Labs, Former FBI) join Ari to break down:The making of a cyber army — how North Korea recruits and trains hackers from childhoodThe Bybit hack step by step — from infiltration to laundering strategiesThe role of Chinese money laundering networks in enabling illicit financeWhat governments and public-private partnerships can do to disrupt these operationsWith cybercrime and national security threats on the rise, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss.Today's GuestsJean Lee, Journalist and Presidential Chair, East-West CenterNick Carlsen, Senior Investigator, TRM LabsHost: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this very timely episode of TRM Talks, Ari sits down with Katherine Minarik, Chief Legal Officer at Uniswap Labs, to discuss a truly extraordinary week in crypto legal history. Katherine, formerly head of litigation at Coinbase, shares her firsthand insights on the SEC's decision to dismiss its case against Coinbase and to close its investigation into Uniswap, signaling a major shift in regulatory strategy.Ari and Katherine dive deep into the legal battles shaping the future of DeFi and the importance of legal clarity for the nascent growing crypto ecosystem. Katherine also shares her personal journey — from litigating at top firms to championing innovation at Coinbase and Uniswap — and how a real-life debanking experience shaped her belief in DeFi's power to enable financial access.With landmark legal decisions, shifting regulatory approaches, and a possible reset in US crypto policy, this episode is a must-listen for legal, compliance, and policy professionals navigating the evolving crypto landscape.Today's GuestKatherine Minarik, Chief Legal Officer, Uniswap LabsHost: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

AI reshaping society — the way we live and work. However, it is also supercharging illicit activity from deepfakes to automated fraud, large-scale cyberattacks to child exploitation. In this episode Ari sits down with Hany Farid, UC Berkeley professor and leading expert on deepfakes and AI-driven deception, to unpack how criminals are exploiting artificial intelligence to manipulate reality, commit crimes, and challenge global security. Hany kicks off the episode with a jaw-dropping live deepfake demonstration, impersonating Ari in real time — a stark warning about how AI-generated identities can be used to deceive businesses, governments, and individuals. From fraudsters using deepfakes to bypass KYC and infiltrate financial institutions, to nation-state actors leveraging AI to spread disinformation and wage cyber warfare, the conversation explores the far-reaching implications of this rapidly evolving technology.Ari and Hany also discuss real-world examples of AI-driven crime, including: Synthetic identity fraud and deepfake scams targeting banks and crypto platforms Cybercriminals using AI-powered phishing and social engineering attacks The role of AI in North Korea's cybercrime operations How deepfakes could be weaponized for political and national security threats The ethical and legal challenges surrounding AI-generated contentDespite the risks, there is hope. Ari and Hany dive into the critical need for AI-powered defenses, regulatory frameworks, and public-private collaboration to combat these emerging threats. They discuss the importance of blockchain intelligence, deepfake detection tools, and cybersecurity innovations in staying ahead of bad actors who are weaponizing AI. This is one of the most eye-opening TRM Talks episodes to date — don't miss this deep dive into the intersection of AI, crime, and security.Today's GuestHany Farid, Professor, University of California, BerkeleyHost: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

On this episode, Albert Forkner joins Ari as he explores the evolving frontier of finance, sharing his journey from Wyoming's State Banking Commissioner to leading risk and compliance at Two Ocean Trust. Discover how his work on Wyoming's innovative SPDI bank charter and his unique perspective on balancing regulation and innovation are helping shape the future of digital assets and trust management in the Cowboy State.Today's GuestAlbert Forkner, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer and Director, Two Ocean TrustHost: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode, Ari speaks with Caroline Hill, Senior Director of Global Policy and Regulatory Strategy at Circle, about Circle's commitment to building with compliance at its core and the future of stablecoin regulation in the United States and globally. Caroline reflects on how her experience at the US Treasury shapes her perspective on regulatory policy and compliance strategy. Today's Guest: Caroline Hill, Senior Director of Global Policy and Regulatory Strategy, Circle Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with Ronit Ghose, Global Head, Future of Finance, Citi Institute, to discuss how financial institutions are leveraging the power of transformative technologies. In this discussion, Ronit — the author of "Future Money: Fintech, AI and Web3" — explores the rapid transformation of the financial landscape through technologies like blockchain, DeFi, AI and the metaverse. The conversation weaves in historical examples and stories of innovators from across the globe who are working to democratize, shape, and secure this new financial system. Today's Guest Ronit Ghose, Global Head, Future of Finance, Citi Institute

In this episode Ari sits down with the the US Treasury's Caroline Horres of the Office for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to discuss Treasury's playbook for mitigating illicit finance risk in the cryptocurrency space. Caroline, the primary author of Treasury's DeFi and NFT risk assessments and part of the US delegation to the Financial Action Task Force, discusses how the department uses its authorities to target darknet markets, ransomware groups, terrorist financiers and other criminals, while using enforcement actions to emphasize the importance of financial crime compliance. Today's Guest Caroline Horres, Senior Policy Advisor, US Department of the Treasury Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with René Michau, Global Head of Digital Assets at Standard Chartered Bank and Esme Hodson, Chief Compliance Office at, SC Ventures to discuss how the bank is building the bridge from TradFi to DeFi through partnerships, innovation in blockchain technology, compliance, and investment in cryptocurrency infrastructure. As the traditional financial system becomes more decentralized, Standard Chartered is working to shape the future of finance. Today's Guest René Michau, Global Head, Digital Assets, Standard Chartered Esme Hodson, Chief Compliance Officer, SC Ventures Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with Seth Wilks, Executive Director for the Office of Digital Assets Initiative at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to discuss Seth's path from guitar riffs to crypto tax policy. Seth talks about his journey from TaxBit to leading the IRS' work on digital assets including his partnership with TRM Talks alum Raj Mukherjee, their work on the recently published broker regulations and what comes next for non-custodial services. This TRM Talks totally rocked! Today's Guest Seth Wilks, Executive Director, Strategy & Development — Office of Digital Asset Initiative, IRS Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

Dr. Ellen Feingold curates the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History — over 1,000,000 pieces of financial history going back 4000 years. This month she adds the laptop that former IRS-CI Agent Chris Janczewski used to investigate the Bitfinex Hack which led to the largest monetary seizure in US history. In this TRM Talks, Ari Redbord, TRM's Global Head of Policy, sits down with Dr. Feingold and Mr. Janczewski, now TRM's Head of Global Investigations, to discuss the history of money and why a 2019 MacBook Pro belongs in the Smithsonian. Today's Guests Dr. Ellen Feingold, Curator of the National Numismatic Collection, The National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution Chris Janczewski, Head of Global Investigations, TRM Labs Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources TRM Blog | Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather "Razzlekhan" Morgan Sentenced In The Bitfinex Case As Government Recovers $10 Billion in Stolen Funds: https://bit.ly/4eATJE7 Smithsonian Podcast – Sidedoor | Bitcoin Bank Heist: https://www.si.edu/sidedoor/bitcoin-bank-heist TRM Blog | The Rise of Monero: Traceability, Challenges, and Research Review: https://bit.ly/4fR88wZ

In the episode of TRM Talks, Ari Redbord, TRM's Global Head of Policy, sits down with crypto lawyer Matt McGuire, Partner at Arktouros, to get his perspective on the key legal issues in the cryptoverse. Their discussion covers the gambit: sanctions to securities, consumer protection to anti-money laundering, privacy and security, and the legal issues and battles of today that could define the cryptocurrency space for years to come. Today's Guest Matt McGuire, Partner, Arktouros Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In the episode of TRM Talks, Ari sits down with Santa Clara County, California prosecutor Erin West of the REACT Task Force to discuss the double victimization of pig butchering scams, the importance of a whole of government and private sector approach, and how stopping scams from happening in the first place is the key. Today's Guests Erin West, Prosecutor, Santa Clara County Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources TRM Case Study: How the REACT Task Force is Tackling Pig Butchering

When Anchorage Digital Bank received its charter from the Office of Comptroller of the Currency in January 2021, it became the first national bank with a charter to custody digital assets. Anchorage, which has built from day one with compliance as critical infrastructure, continues to set a precedent for how digital asset companies can operate within the regulatory framework of the US financial system. In this TRM Talks, we are joined by Anchorage's Head of Global Operations, Rachel Anderika to discuss building with compliance, global expansion, and what the future holds for the US's first crypto bank. Today's Guest Rachel Anderika, Global Head of Operations, Anchorage Digital Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

Last year the EU Parliament passed MiCA — Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation. MiCA, arguably the world's most comprehensive framework for crypto requires crypto-asset service providers and issuers to take action related to governance, consumer protection and AML. As key deadlines approach for MiCA implementation across the continent, Peter Kerstens of the European Commission joins TRM Talks to discuss MiCA implementation, what's next for DeFi, and what the world can learn from Europe's crypto experiment. Today's Guest Peter Kerstens, Advisor – Financial Sector Technological Innovation and Cybersecurity, European Commission Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with Vanessa Targenian, Director of Research, Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT) at Fidelity Investments, to discuss how blockchain technology is revolutionizing the way traditional financial institutions do business. Today's Guest Vanessa Kargenian, Director of Research, Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT) at Fidelity Investments Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with Max Bernt, Taxbit's Managing Director for Europe, to discuss the fragmented global tax regulatory landscape, reporting standards, the impact of tax policy on the digital assets ecosystem, and Max's journey from runway model to lawyer, judge to PhD, and tax policy expert. Max Bernt, Managing Director, Europe, Taxbit Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this TRM Talks, Ari sits down with Lazarus Heist's Geoff White to discuss his latest book Rinsed. Geoff discuss the stages of money laundering and provides colorful examples of placement, layering and integration from Pablo Escobar to North Korean cybercriminals. Ari and Geoff hit topics from bulk cash smuggling to crypto mixing in this wide ranging discussion that brings money laundering to life. Today's Guests Geoff White, Author and Journalist Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

The state of Wyoming is known as the Wild West – a land of wide open spaces, the nation's most iconic national parks, and rodeo broncin' bucks. But Wyoming, over the last few years, has become known for something else – cryptocurrency. So how has Wyoming become the new frontier for financial innovation? In this episode Ari sits down with Anthony Apollo, Director of the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, to discuss his journey from New York to Cheyenne, crypto native to regulator, and how the state of Wyoming continues to innovate. Click here to learn more about the Wyoming Stable Token Commission. Today's Guests Anthony Apollo, Director, Wyoming Stable Token Commission Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with Raj Mukherjee, Executive Director for the Office of Digital Assets Initiative at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to discuss Raj's journey from industry to government, the role of the IRS in the crypto space, and how IRS is approached drafting the recently published broker regulations. Today's Guests Raj Mukherjee, Executive Director, Office of Digital Asset Initiative, Internal Revenue Service Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode CoinDesk's managing editor for global policy and regulation Nik De join's Ari to discuss the regulatory landscape, Congress' focus on anti-money laundering and national security, and Nik's non-stop coverage of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial including his crypto-famous courtroom sketches. Today's Guests Nik De, Managing Editor for Global Policy and Regulation, CoinDesk Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In the wake of the largest settlement in the history of the United States – over $4 billion to settle violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, failing to register as a money transmitting business, and breaching US sanctions – Binance, the world's largest crypto business, is working to build a best-in-class AML and sanctions compliance program under the oversight of independent monitors. In this episode, we are joined by Binance Chief Compliance Officer Noah Perlman to discuss that process, his journey from federal prosector to crypto, and the worsening situation for Binance financial crime lead Tigran Gambaryan who has been held in Nigeria for over 100 days. Today's Guests Noah Perlman, Chief Compliance Officer, Binance Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

For over a decade Treasury's Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has been providing guidance and taking enforcement actions in the virtual assets space. In 2013 guidance FinCEN clarified that the US anti-money laundering regime applies to cryptocurrency businesses paving the way for enforcement against non-compliant virtual asset service providers. However, questions still remain. How does the BSA apply to DeFi? What role do mixers and anonymity enhancing technology play in the ecosystem? In this TRM Talks, Ari Redbord, TRM's Global Head of Policy sits down with Kevin O'Connor, Chief of FinCEN's Virtual Assets and Emerging Technology Section of the Enforcement and Compliance Division, to discuss FinCEN's crypto strategy to answer these and other questions. Today's Guests Kevin O'Connor, Chief of FinCEN's Virtual Assets and Emerging Technology Section of the Enforcement and Compliance Division Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

Ari sits down with Sarah Hammer, Executive Director at The Wharton School, to discuss the importance of embracing technology for financial institutions, the use of blockchains for faster settlements, and regulation for crypto, AI, cyber and other emerging technologies. Today's Guests Sarah Hammer, Executive Director at The Wharton School Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources U.S. Department of the Treasury Report – Managing Artificial Intelligence-Specific Cybersecurity Risks in the Financial Services Sector: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Managing-Artificial-Intelligence-Specific-Cybersecurity-Risks-In-The-Financial-Services-Sector.pdf TRM Insights – US Treasury Issues Report on AI Cyber and Fraud Risks for Financial Institutions: https://hubs.la/Q02y0hx70 A Comprehensive Approach to Crypto Regulation: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4245285 TRM Report – The Illicit Crypto Economy: https://hubs.la/Q02y0fp70

From the largest darknet markets to the most dangerous ransomware groups, German authorities have been involved in the most important crypto-related investigations and takedowns in recent years. In this TRM Talks, Ari Redbord sits down with Jana Ringwald, Senior Public Prosecutor, Prosecutor General's Office in Frankfurt, to discuss how she works with law enforcement, the private sector and with global partners to fight cybercrime. Today's Guests Jana Ringwald, Senior Public Prosecutor, Prosecutor General's Office in Frankfurt Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

In this episode Ari sits down with author and journalist Emily Parker. No topic is off limits as they discuss Bitcoin ETFs, global regulation, the use of the internet by pro-democracy movements, and Emily's life and work in Asia. Ari and Emily dive into the most pressing issues impacting crypto today in a fun and engaging discussion. Today's Guests Emily Parker, Journalist Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

Ari sits down with threat intelligence expert Jessica Davis to discuss the emerging digital battlefield. From terrorist financiers to North Korean cybercriminals Jessica maps the threat landscape and provides a nuanced perspective on the use of cryptocurrencies. Today's Guests Jessica Davis, Threat Intelligence Expert Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources Insight Threat Intelligence Newsletter

About the Episode In this breaking news episode of TRM Talks, Ari sits down with the US Treasury Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Cyber and Chief AI Officer Todd Conklin to discuss Treasury's report on “Managing Artificial Intelligence Risk in the Financial Services Sector,” and the risks and opportunities that come from the use of AI and other emerging technologies. Today's Guests Todd Conklin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Cyber and Chief AI Officer, US Department of the Treasury Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources Managing Artificial Intelligence-Specific Cybersecurity Risks in the Financial Services Sector, US Department of the Treasury, March 2024 TRM Insights: US Treasury Issues Report on AI Cyber and Fraud Risks for Financial Institutions

In this episode, Ari sits down with Jarod Koopman, Executive Director of Cyber and Forensic Services for IRS - Criminal Investigation. They discuss IRS-CI's unique role in crypto investigations, how this small law enforcement agency has seized $11 billion in cryptocurrencies, why Jarod is starting to see crypto in more cases, and what martial arts has to do with all of it. Today's Guests Jarod Koopman, Executive Director of Cyber and Forensic Services for IRS - Criminal Investigation Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs

This week, CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero joins Ari for a discussion of the Commissioner's journey, the CFTC's regulation of crypto and the CFTC Technology Advisory Committee's recent report on DeFi. Today's Guests Christy Goldsmith Romero, Commissioner, CFTC Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources TRM Insights: CFTC's Technology Advisory Committee Releases Report On Opportunities and Risks In DeFi

Ari sits down with Circle's Dante Disparte to discuss his journey from Libra to Circle, the power of digital assets for financial inclusion, and the future of stablecoin regulation. Today's Guest Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Global Head of Policy, Circle Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources About Dante Disparte About Circle TRM Insights: Stablecoin Summer: How three months of policy and innovation could shape the future of the ecosystem Circle Report: State of the USDC Economy

Carole House, former US Treasury and White House National Security Council official, joins Ari to discuss the nexus between crypto and national security. Carole, the primary author of the White House Executive Order on Digital Assets and the recent CFTC report on DeFi, talks about these important reports, the process behind them, and how to mitigate North Korea, terrorist financing, ransomware and other national security challenges in the digital world. Today's Guest Carole House, Former US Treasury and White House Cybersecurity Official Host: Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources TRM Insights: CFTC's Technology Advisory Committee Releases Report On Opportunities and Risks In DeFi CFTC Technology Advisory Committee - Report on Decentralized Finance TRM Insights: Biden's Executive Order On Crypto Is Out — Read TRM's Quick Take TRM Insights: North Korean Hackers Stole $600 Million in Crypto in 2023 TRM Report: Global Crypto Policy Review & Outlook 2023/24 TRM Illicit Ecosystem Report About Carole House Carole House NFT: CoinDesk Coordinating the Federal Government's Approach to Crypto

Ari sits down with WIRED magazine's Andy Greenberg and TRM's Chris Janczewski, a former IRS-CI agent and the protagonist of Andy's book Tracer's in the Dark, to discuss how Chris and other investigators track and trace crypto to build investigations and hunt illicit actors on the blockchain. Today's Guests Andy Greenberg, Senior Writer, WIRED magazine Chris Janczewski, Head of Global Investigations, TRM Labs Host: Ari Rebord, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs Resources TRM Insights: Tracers in the Dark: An Inside Look into Cracking Crypto's Biggest Cases TRM Insights: North Korean Hackers Stole $600 Million in Crypto in 2023 TRM Insights: Hack Hauls Halve From 2022 TRM Insights: CFTC's Technology Advisory Committee Releases Report On Opportunities and Risks In DeFi TRM Talks: Investigating and Prosecuting a Crypto Case CFTC Technology Advisory Committee - Report on Decentralized Finance About Chris Janczewski About Andy Greenberg Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency by Andy Greenberg

In this episode, TRM's global policy team - Ari Redbord, Isabella Chase and Angela Ang - got together, in-person, to dissect the latest regulatory news of the quarter. The result was a 20-minute rapid fire, wide-ranging discussion of macro and micro digital assets policy across the globe. From the UK to the U.S., the EU to Australia and beyond, TRM's Policy Team discussed the U.S. Treasury's recent proposed rule on mixers, what may be coming for DeFi regulation, and took viewers on a journey around the world for the latest on crypto policy and regulatory developments.

In this episode TRM's Ari Redbord sat down with Santa Clara Prosecutor Erin West of REACT Task Force at ACAMS in Las Vegas. Erin, the conference's keynote speaker, discussed her journey and why she has a laser focus on rooting out "pig butchering." In pig butchering, also-known-as "romance scams," scammers encounter victims on dating sites, social media websites, or even random texts masquerading as a wrong number. Scammers initiate relationships with victims and slowly gain their trust, eventually introducing the idea of making a business investment using cryptocurrency. Victims are persuaded to invest money and once the money is sent to the fake investment app, the scammer vanishes with all the victim's money. The term “pig butchering” comes from the idea of “fattening” up the victim as much as possible before stealing the money. These cases often involve victims who have lost their life savings, leaving the victims devastated and desperate for help. In this episode, Erin discusses the scourge of pig butchering and how she is leveraging blockchain intelligence to counter the threat including through the Tracer Fellowship program, a partnership with TRM Labs and her Crypto Coalition, through which TRM is offering a 12-month fellowship program which will award a select number of active law enforcement investigators free active to TRM's platform.

It has been a busy 2023 in Australia with policymakers consulting on crypto licensing, AML/CTF reform, and more. Australia is home to a growing crypto ecosystem - crypto-assets are the second most popular investment after shares. With that growth has come regulatory scrutiny focused on consumer protection, combatting financial crime and creating a modern, risk-based regime for crypto-assets. In this episode, TRM's Ari Redbord and Angela Ang are joined by Joni Pirovich at BADAS*L, Brad Brown at AUSTRAC, and Steve Vallas at Blockchain APAC to discuss crypto regulatory developments in Australia.

In this TRM Talks, Ari Redbord is joined by Jean Lee, writer, commentator and expert on North Korea. She is co-host of the Peabody-nominated Lazarus Heist podcast on the BBC World Service.Lee led the Associated Press news agency's coverage of the Korean Peninsula as bureau chief from 2008 to 2013. In 2011, she became the first American reporter granted extensive access on the ground in North Korea, and in January 2012, she opened AP's Pyongyang bureau.In this episode Lee discusses the historic meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, how North Korea has developed a cyber army, and the importance of understanding the history of the Korean Peninsula. Lee discusses North Korea's pivot to theft in the crypto ecosystem and how law enforcement and regulators are using authorities to mitigate the risk of North Korea cyber attacks. This is an in-depth and fast paced discussion into some of the most interesting and timely issues in the crypto space.

Despite the so-called "crypto winter," we have seen a flurry of institutional adoption. But, as the ecosystem grows so does the need to keep funds safe. In this TRM Talks Ari Redbord sits down with Fireblocks' Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Jason Allegrante to discuss protecting the crypto ecosystem from hacks and other exploits, how Fireblocks works with Blockchain Intelligence like TRM Labs, and how policy makers can work with industry to craft sound regulatory frameworks.

The U.S. Justice Department set up the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) in 2021 amid growing concerns about the use of cryptocurrency for illicit finance including national security threats from North Korea, sanctions evasion, terrorists and weapons proliferators. In 2023, DOJ announced that the the NCET has been merged into the Department's computer crimes section. In this episode TRM's Ari Redbord sits down with the newly appointed NCET Acting Director Claudia Quiroz to discuss the move and the future of crypto-related investigations and prosecutions.

The European Banking Authority's Elisabeth Noble joins TRM's Isabella Chase and Ari Redbord for an in-depth discussion of what's next for MiCA.Elisabeth, a Senior Policy Expert at the EBA, leads the EBA's work on crypto-assets and innovation facilitators and coordinates the European Forum for Innovation Facilitators. She is contributing to the development of the new EU Digital Finance Strategy and was a member of the European Commission's Expert Group on Regulatory Obstacles to Financial Innovation.In other words, Elisabeth is exactly who you want to hear from when it comes to MiCA implementation!

In April, the U.S. Treasury Department issued its 42-page DeFi Risk Assessment laying out various money laundering risks for DeFi. The assessment, at the end, poses a series of discussion questions. On July 24 TRM Labs is joined by three of the foremost experts on DeFi and regulation to answer these questions. TRM's Ari Redbord is joined by Rebecca Rettig, Chief Policy Officer, Polygon Labs; Michael Mosier, Espresso Systems and former Acting Director of FinCEN; and, Jai Ramaswamy, Chief Legal Officer, A16Z, and former DOJ money laundering chief to discuss the questions posed in the DeFi Risk Assessment.

In this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord sits down for a few minutes with the Chief of IRS-Criminal Investigations Jim Lee.

For this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord sits down for a few minutes with former Treasury Official Eric Lorber of PWC and Isabella Edmonds of GeoComply to talk sanctions compliance ahead of a TRM Talks with OFAC's Dallas Woodrum.

For this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord sits down for a few minutes with Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations Steve Francis.

In this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord sits down for a few minutes with former U.S. Treasury Official and Founder of Capitol Peak Strategies Alex Zerden.

In this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord sits down for a few minutes with Olta Andoni, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Enclave Markets.

In this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord sits down for a few minutes with Kathy Kraninger, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Solidus Labs and former Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

In this Flash TRM Talks, TRM's Ari Redbord welcomes former IRS-CI Agent Chris Janczewski to TRM as Head of Global Investigations.

Minakshi Yerra, VP and Global Head of Compliance at Ripple.