Podcasts about trm labs

You've heard the headlines: “Bitcoin is for criminals.” But is that actually true?In this episode, we dig into the data, scandals, and hypocrisy behind the global money laundering industry. Spoiler: it's not Bitcoin moving $2 trillion a year — it's the traditional banking system.

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

Carla Reyes, Associate Professor of Law at SMU Dedman School of Law, and Drew Hinkes, a Partner at Winston & Strawn with a practice focused on digital assets and advising financial services clients, join Kevin Frazier, Contributing Editor at Lawfare, to discuss the latest in cryptocurrency policy. The trio review the evolution of crypto-related policy since the Obama era, discuss the veracity of dominant crypto narratives, and explore what's next from the Trump administration on this complex, evolving topic. Read more:TRM Labs 2025 Crypto Crime Report: https://www.trmlabs.com/2025-crypto-crime-report2023 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households: https://www.fdic.gov/household-surveyTo receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

  Cybersecurity Response Plan w/ Frank Grimmelmann of ACTRA   - AZ TRT S06 EP03 (264) 2-9-2025                 What We Learned This Week ACTRA Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance Cyber threats affect everyone from Gov't to business to private and growing Companies need to be responsive with speed to be effective + share information of attacks ACTRA has members from both government and private sector ACTRA helped create a state cybersecurity response model that other states can use     Guest: Frank Grimmelmann https://www.actraaz.org/actra/leadership President & CEO/Intelligence Liaison Officer   Mr. Grimmelmann also serves as Co-Chair (together with Arizona's Chief Information Security Officer) for the Arizona Cybersecurity Team (‘ACT'), created through the Governor's Executive Order signed in March 2018. He also serves as a Founding Member of the National Leadership Group for the Information Sharing & Analysis Organization Standards Organization (‘ISAO SO') at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), created under the President's Executive Order 13691 in February 2015. As ACTRA's leader, Mr. Grimmelmann was invited as the first private sector representative in the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) and served as its first private sector Executive Board representative from 2014-2019. He presently acts as ACTRA's designated private sector liaison to ACTRA's Key Agency and other non-Member Stakeholders.    Mr. Grimmelmann served four terms as AZ InfraGard's President from 2009-2012, serves today on numerous academic advisory boards, co-Chairs the Greater Phoenix Chamber's Cybersecurity Workforce Collaborative initiative, and is an engaged Member of the Arizona Technology Council's Cybersecurity Advisory Board.  In 2019, Mr. Grimmelmann was honored by the FBI, and the Board of Directors of both ACTRA and Arizona InfraGard as the first recipient of Arizona InfraGard's ‘Visionary Award' for creating the ACTRA framework  over his last 2 terms as Arizona InfraGard's President, and ACTRA's resulting collaboration between law enforcement/ intelligence agencies/USCYBERCOM, and its public, private and academic organizations over the past 7 years.   He was simultaneously recognized by the FBI's then Deputy Director for his contribution over the years. He remains an active Member of InfraGard since 2003 and an active Lifetime Member of the FBI Citizens Academy since 2006.   Since 2002 he has devoted his full-time attention to protecting our nation's critical infrastructure and national security interests, through eliminating unnecessary silos that hinder communication, allowing  us to respond to today's increasing threat from our cyber adversaries, and in turn permitting ACTRA's Member Organizations to protect their critical infrastructure and our national security interests, while protecting their organization's assets .   Educationally, he holds a dual MBA in International Business and Finance from the University of California at Berkeley and brings decades of experience as a senior executive in finance, healthcare and government, prior to focusing on Cybersecurity in response to 9/11.          Notes:   Seg 2   Cyber threats affect everybody, business, personal, and government. Cyber crime is a fact of life that we need to live with it, but stay ahead.   Criminals are on the offense and only have to be correct 1% of the time. Everybody else is playing defense and has to be right 100% of the time.   AI is an advanced tool that is turned out to be a two edge sword, can help and hurt. AI can only catch so much but can give a few of what is going on.   This is a matter of national security, dealing with homeland security and many other departments of the government.   You have threat intelligence to determine roles on how you're going to handle hackers and ransom ware. Hackers can be local or foreign.   All companies need a cyber policy and some sort of rapid tactical response.   Cyber attacks are an ever growing threat to people and businesses, and continue to surge in 2024. There was 107% surge in malware attacks.   These are on corporate computers, computers at work or home computers or even Home devices like Ring. You get a text through devices, phishing attacks.   Company business email can be compromised in an attack, people's passwords come out and it leads to millions of dollars in losses. Elderly people are very vulnerable, 353,000 attacks.   You have supply chain threats by terrorist and nation state actors. There was a recent attack on United Healthcare for 100 million. People‘s information was exposed. This led to a $22 million ransom payment.   Cyber attacks cause $2.9 billion in damages. Companies are paying ransom to faceless criminals. Very tough for the FBI to be tracking down on these criminals and try to fend off the extortion of stolen data.   Payments for ransom could be made through Bitcoin, which is difficult to trace, though it leaves somewhat of a forensic trail. Constant need for regulation and oversight from the government.   Famous incident last year was not even an attack, but the Crowdstrike software update. ACTRA had a quick response that day. One that helps clients and partners recover fast. In a similar instant, Delta was down for weeks with computer problems.   When you think about what goes on with banks back to 2008 - what loans they have on balance sheet and then off balance sheet securitized - not regulated like normal loans.   Issues with underwriting standards on loans. Not even sure what can be affected in a Cyber attack. Off balance sheet loans and debt is similar to crypto or Bitcoin where it is not being regulated.   PPD-41 was a directive to show responsibilities of government agencies and dealing in cyber. You had homeland security as a defensive arm to protect the nation's assets.   Enforcement is done in the US by the FBI. Overseas it's done by US Cyber Command.     Seg 3   Frank background in the 1990s in private business, worked in healthcare. Then was the chief info officer and the only 2000s at clinical in Stanford. Healthcare is very vulnerable.   Post 9/11 he worked with FBI outreach program called InfraGuard on how to share intelligence with cyber threats. Needs to be treated like terrorism or criminal acts, though they're taking stolen IP. Need to move to a more stable world.   2011 study was done by government organizations to review the process and make recommendations on how to deal with counterterrorism and cyber.   90% of the critical infrastructure in the US is in the private sector. They do need Fed level help, but have also have a local response. Cyber threat actors move quickly and act like a terrorist organization.   General Stanley McChrystal had a great quote, ‘It takes a network to defeat a network.' Cybersecurity is everyone's problem. You need education and organization. This is a 5th generation problem and you have to be adaptive.   ACTRA is a nonprofit dealing with cyber security. They've got pillars of empowerment, trust technology and intelligence. Need for the private companies to develop to train and recruit to handle this threat.   They created a model which allows to bring the fight on offense - and all work together sharing information. Virtual response team, small and big with the private sector as a partner.   ACTRA is a hub for info, and keeps its member information private. Some members are public like Arizona State. Actual model can be used for the rest of the nation. Government and private cannot do it alone. Not all states have this type of organization, but probably need it.     Seg 4   ACTRA started in January 2013. Give U.S. states a model for cyber security. Collective defense and share information with public and private organizations. The goal is to breakdown silos between government and the corporate world.   Not just a thing tank, has an active model. Review of ACTRA model is best in the country and a good hub for response and info.   In 2015, they helped Wisconsin create their own state organization for cyber threats. Soon after, Maryland created one using ACTRA as a model. Needs to be an effort of collaboration, merge the construct of entrepreneur spirit to take action.   So the government cyber threats are handled nationally at a Fort Meade, where the NSA is.   Frank's background in business in finance and healthcare fields.   Info is useless if not used for action. You need actionable intelligence that is current to take down a threat. You need more than continuing education and certificates for people, must go beyond this.   Virtual response team like a local militia who can help protect assets. Going after cyber criminals can be a little bit like a whack a mole.   Overtime, hopefully there will be a national strategy for info sharing. A type of decentralized and local organization that work with government.   The private sector owns the vast amount of data so they have to determine who they're going to share it with and how.   Defend vs Cyber fast while still working within the spirit of the law.       Seg. 1 Clips from Related Shows: Cybersecurity, Disruption, Blockchain & Terrorism w Ari Redbord of TRM Labs - BRT S02 EP31 (78) 8-1-2021     What We Learned This Week Cybersecurity is extremely important industry for national security TRM Labs startup in cyber-security, monitors blockchain OFAC - Gov't administers economic and trade sanctions Ransomeware – specific breach, takeover of a computer system, holds data hostage Programatic Money Laundering – bad guys create new addresses, create ‘shell' companies   Guest: Ari Redbord, Head of Legal and Government Affairs w/ TRM Labs https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-redbord-4054381b4/ https://www.trmlabs.com/post/trm-labs-appoints-ari-redbord-as-head-of-legal-government-affairs   Ari is formerly a US Attorney, and worked in the Treasury Department, now advises the Government on cybersecurity, and Blockchain. Cybersecurity is a fast growing and extremely important industry for national security, and corporate interests. There are Nation States acting as bad players in the cyber realm and targeting the US Government and US business. We discuss the advancements in technology on cyber crime, blockchain, crypto, and online fraud. How is the FBI dealing with Ransomware, and other cyber attacks on prime targets like the Colonial Pipeline, or other big corps. What Regulations are coming in banking, and Fintech, with KYC (Know Your Customer), plus the big banks like JP Morgan Chase and Goldman are on board.  What the blockchain ledger can help solve in security, to monitor criminal activity in real time with the help of crypto exchanges like Coinbase.  Lastly, what TRM Labs does for clients, how they advise, operate, and who they work with.   Full Show: HERE     Phishing, Malware & Cybersecurity - Try Not to Get Pwned - BRT S02 EP47 (94) 11-21-2021   What We Learned This Week:   Have I been Pwned? Means have I been breached / hacked – did someone hack my email or website Phishing – most common type of email threat, like when you receive a strange email with a link – Do Not Open – DELETE (and alert other office staff of the email) Ramsonware – hack your website, or data – hold it hostage for an extortion ‘ransom' payment Dark Web – where stolen data, & info is being bought & sold VPN Connections – direct and secure   Guests: Vince Matteo, Seven Layer Networks, Inc. https://sevenlayers.com/ Vince Matteo is a certified penetration tester, a security researcher, and a senior consultant at Seven Layers (.com) where he focuses on securing small businesses.  Vince is the author of "Hacking 101 – A Beginner's Guide to Penetration Testing", he's a bug bounty hunter with 17 published critical vulnerabilities, and he's presented talks on offensive hacking at security conferences -- most recently GrrCON in Grand Rapids, MI and BSides in College Station, TX.  Outside of work, Vince is an accomplished endurance athlete, an Ironman age group champion, and in his spare time, you can find him in the desert -- training for the next hundred-mile ultramarathon.    Full Show: HERE     Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science   AZ Tech Council Shows:  https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council *Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023   Tech Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science  Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech   ‘Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT      Thanks for Listening. Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.     AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.  AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.  Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…    AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/ ‘Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here Podcast on Google: Click Here Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                    More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/ KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/     Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.  

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

11th Feb: Blockchain DXB Podcast

Welcome to another episode of theBlockchain DXB AI Series, where we explore the latest trends in crypto and blockchain with the help of AI. In this episode, we take a deep dive into theTRM Labs 2025 Crypto Crime Report, analyzing the key findings and their implications for the crypto industry.This episode is fully powered by AI and generated usingNotebook LM by Google, bringing you insights ow financial crime is evolving in the blockchain space.Download the full report here - https://www.trmlabs.com/post/now-live-the-2025-crypto-crime-report

Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy and Government Affairs at TRM Labs, discusses their 2024 Crypto Crime Report, Trump's Executive Order on digital assets and related issues for 2025.

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

This week, John and Elliot discuss the forthcoming Crypto Crime Report for 2024 from TRM Labs, various sanctions focused on the Russian energy sector and cross-border payments between actors in Russia and China, civil money penalties against former senior officials at Wells Fargo, penalties issued against Robinhood by the SEC, insights from counter-terrorism experts at the Atlantic Council, and other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

Tech & Privacy FAQ - Week of January 14th, 2025 1. What's this new job referral "side hustle" all about? Some tech workers are making up to $30,000 by referring strangers for job openings. They connect with job seekers through platforms like Blind and Glassdoor, and sometimes use services like Refer Me and Refermarket to facilitate these referrals, even charging a fee. While referrals can improve hiring odds, this trend raises questions about authenticity and potential abuse. 2. Why is the Texas Attorney General cracking down on data privacy? Texas AG Ken Paxton is taking a strong stance on data privacy. He's issued warnings to companies like Sirius XM and apps like MyRadar for allegedly sharing user data without consent. He's also suing Allstate for secretly collecting driver data via cellphone apps and car manufacturers to raise premiums. Texas seeks restitution for consumers, damages, and hefty fines. 3. The EU fined itself for a GDPR violation? Seriously? Yes! The EU General Court fined the European Commission €400 for transferring a citizen's IP address to Meta in the US without proper safeguards. While a small fine, it sets a precedent and shows the EU's commitment to enforcing GDPR, even on its own institutions. 4. Is my data at risk from quantum computers? Experts warn that quantum computers, still in their early stages, could eventually crack current encryption methods. While not an immediate threat, it's wise to start researching "quantum-resistant" solutions to safeguard your data in the future. 5. How are hackers using AWS to hold data hostage? A ransomware group called Codefinger is exploiting stolen AWS keys to encrypt data in S3 buckets using AWS's own encryption. They then demand a ransom and set a timer to delete the data within a week. This highlights the need for strong IAM policies and regular key audits on AWS. 6. What are the latest trends in cyberattacks? Cybercriminals are shifting from email-based malware to browser-based attacks like drive-by downloads and malicious ads. Compromised credentials are a growing problem, often obtained cheaply from fraud marketplaces. Staying updated with software, using ad blockers, and being cautious online are crucial. 7. What's the T3 Financial Crime Unit doing about crypto crime? The T3 FCU, a collaboration between TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs, is actively combating crypto-related crime. They recently froze over $100 million in illicit assets across five continents. This highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in blockchain security. 8. Who was behind the massive WazirX crypto hack? The US, South Korea, and Japan have jointly confirmed that North Korea's Lazarus Group orchestrated the $235 million WazirX hack. This incident reinforces the need for strong security measures within the cryptocurrency ecosystem and emphasizes the threat posed by state-sponsored hacking groups.

If you were to walk around a Russian city, you might not realise it but hundreds of small packages of drugs, could be just below the surface, buried in the ground, or maybe attached to the back of a nearby drainpipe with magnets, or hidden inside a hole in a wall. These little "treasures" have been ordered online from a vendor operating on a darknet platform and then hidden by couriers known as 'Kladmen' all over the place waiting to be collected - this is the "dead drop" method.The darknet markets servicing Russia have revolutionized the illicit drug markets in the country, which has seen an explosion in the consumption of synthetic drugs like methadone, mephedrone or Alpha-PVP. The vendors run a network of chemists, wholesalers, and Kladmen. Sportsman, hired thugs, roam around looking for Seagulls (people who steal dead drops) and punishing Kladmen on behalf of vendors, before uploading the punishments to social media as a warning to others.For many years, Hydra, the largest DNM the world has ever known, defeated all competition and reigned supreme, handling over $5 billion dollars of cryptocurrency during its lifespan. But in 2022, it was taken down and like the mythical beast it was named after, new heads sprouted in its place - OMG!OMG!, Mega, Kraken, Blacksprut - all vying for position, competing for market share and creating the most audacious public marketing stunts and highly produced online videos. The DNMs, with connections to the precursor markets of China and India, operate on TOR, have pushed synthetic drugs into all corners of Russia, democratizing the production process, with how-to guides and readily available lab equipment, and even created an apprenticeship scheme for prospective Kladmen, with a guaranteed job at the end. The whole process is highly anonymised from production to transportation, and from purchase to delivery through the dead drop method. We have seen darknet markets affecting the drug appetites of an entire nation and beyond. Speaker(s):Max Daly, Journalist who specialises in drugs and organized crime. He is an Orwell Prize winner, co-authored of the book Narcomania and the co-author of the GITOC paper 'Breaking Klad: Russia's Dead Drop Drug Revolution'.Patrick Shortis, Senior Blockchain Intelligence Analyst working on the illicit drugs program at TRM Labs and co-author of the GI's paper ‘Breaking Klad: Russia's Dead Drop Drug Revolution'.Links:Breaking Klad: Russia's Dead Drop Drug RevolutionGlobal Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime(Podcast) “Death Can Wait”: Drugs on the Frontline in Ukraine Additional...

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

In this special episode of Seize & Desist, our host, Aidan Larkin, sits down with blockchain intelligence specialist, author and Asset Reality co-founder Nick Furneaux for a behind-the-scenes look at his second book, ‘There's No Such Thing As Crypto Crime', and the challenges of writing it over the last two years while balancing work, family, and building a house.Nick shares his journey from leaving school at 16 with no qualifications to becoming one of the world's foremost authorities in crypto investigations, having analyzed over $20 billion worth of crypto-related crime and trained thousands of investigators globally.Aidan and Nick also discuss the growing challenges for law enforcement, the role of AI in fighting scams, the rise of organised crypto crime, and why education and better training are essential for tackling the evolving world of cryptocurrency.Timestamps02:00 - Nick's background06:00 - Nick's first experience with crypto14:00 - Lessons from Yap Island: How Public Ledgers Work16:00 - Why investigators must understand crypto18:00 - Why so many scams use cryptocurrency25:00 - Understanding the appeal of Bitcoin ATMs33:00 - The challenges presented by AI38:30 - Building a future of accessible crypto educationResources MentionedThere's No Such Thing as Crypto Crime: An Investigative HandbookInvestigating Cryptocurrencies: Amazon.co.uk The world's first crypto auction: Asset Reality's origin story Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System Sweden pays drug dealer £1m after seizing his Bitcoin Operation ShamrockBillion-dollar cyberfraud industry expands in Southeast Asia as criminals adopt new technologieshttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/aidan-larkin-29810781_bitcoinatm-moneylaundering-activity-7259916571886694400-AUpI/ TRON, Tether, and TRM Labs Establish First-Ever Private Sector Financial Crime Unit to Combat Crypto Crime | TRM InsightsVirtual Asset Transfer Fundamentals | Asset Reality Academy About our GuestNick Furneaux is a leading blockchain intelligence specialist with over 20 years of experience in computer security and forensics. He is the author of ‘Investigating Cryptocurrencies' (2018) and ‘There's No Such Thing As Crypto Crime' (2024), the only books focused on investigating crypto-related criminal activity. Nick also serves as a Blockchain Intelligence Expert at TRM Labs and is the co-founder of Asset Reality.Over the course of his career, Nick has contributed to high-profile investigations in fraud, murder, terrorism, and child protection, focusing on live data acquisition, volatile data analysis, and the role of cryptocurrency in criminal activity.A sought-after speaker at global conferences such as SOCEX and ACFE, Nick regularly provides training to governments, law enforcement, and corporations worldwide on advanced forensic techniques.DisclaimerOur podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.

In the 163rd BlockTalks we speak with Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy and Government Affairs at TRM Labs, who shares about the life of running around the world to engage with regulators TRM Talks: https://open.spotify.com/show/2f9v6MaVkzI5qetfJCWSKP?si=F2kwBhWOQcWtlIj7I5X05w The Weekly Roundup Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-weekly-roundup-7188643391390343168 . Redes sociais / comms.. Instagram.com/blockdropspodcast.. Twitter.com/blockdropspod.. Blockdrops.lens .. https://warpcast.com/mauriciomagaldi.. youtube.com/@BlockDropsPodcast.. Meu conteúdo em inglês twitter.com/0xmauricio.. Newsletter do linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7056680685142454272.. blockdropspodcast@gmail.com

Imagine this: invisible robbers break into a bank and steal massive sacks of cash, but instead of running away with it they set their haul on the front stoop of the bank in a glass case. Everyone can see the money, but only the robbers can get to it. That's how IRS Special Agent Chris Janczewski describes the 2016 Bitfinex heist – when mystery hackers made out with over $70 million in Bitcoin. By 2020, their loot had ballooned to over $4 billion. With only digital footprints to follow, federal agents tracked the criminals through the blockchain, across the dark web, and up the service elevator of a posh Manhattan apartment building in a sleuthing story that ends at the Smithsonian. The renovated The Value of Money exhibition will be opening at the National Museum of American History in November 2024. Check it out in person or online!Guests:Ellen Feingold, curator of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American HistoryZia Faruqui, United States Magistrate Judge at the District Court for the District of Columbia Ari Redbord, Ari Redbord is the Global Head of Policy at TRM LabsChris Janczewski, Head of Global Investigations at TRM Labs, previously a special agent with IRS-CI Cyber Crimes Unit

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

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

Host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the news in the crypto industry from Polymarket bets on the Harris Trump debate to an FBI report on crypto scams in 2023."CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the biggest headlines in the crypto industry today, as Polymarket traders are betting the traditional pollsters will give the debate to Harris, with a 74% chance that the Ipsos/538 survey will find she "wins" it. Plus, an FBI report says investors lost a record $5.6 billion to crypto-related financial crime in 2023, and insights on a financial crime fighting force created by Tron, Tether and TRM Labs.-This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “CoinDesk Daily” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and Melissa Montañez and edited by Victor Chen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 sponsored episode of the State Secrets podcast, host Suzanne Kelly talks with Sujit Raman, Chief Legal Officer at TRM Labs about how the private sector is working with government to address some of today's most pressing national security challenges and how professionals like Raman, who also served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice, are helping bridge gaps between government and the private sector.

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

Shoot us a Text.It's Tuesday. That is all. Today, we're talking about a new report that shows the CDK hack resulted in $1B in losses, how GM is pulling back from its EV target and what other retailers are doing to take advantage of Amazon Prime DayShow Notes with linksDealerships across the nation are reeling after a devastating cyberattack on CDK Global resulted in $1.02 billion in losses, as reported by the Anderson Economic Group (AEG).Between June 19 and July 15, dealerships lost 56,200 new-vehicle sales.AEG initially projected a $944 million loss but updated it to $1.02 billion due to new sales data and the actual duration of the outage.AutoNation estimated the CDK situation had stripped $1.50 out of its second-quarter earnings per share.On June 21 more than $25 million of bitcoin was sent to an "address assessed by TRM Labs to be controlled by the ransomware group BlackSuit," according to blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs.AEG CEO Patrick Anderson highlighted the need for businesses to brace for potential cyberattacks, stating, “This episode is a wake-up call for the auto industry, and a warning to all others.”General Motors CEO Mary Barra has adjusted the company's ambitious EV production target, signaling a shift in expectations amid slowing momentum for electric vehicles.GM will not reach the production capacity for one million EVs by the end of next year, as previously aimed.Barra emphasized that customer demand will dictate the pace of reaching the one million EV annual sales mark.The company faces hurdles, including recent battery production issues and delayed opening of an electric pickup truck plant near Detroit.GM is increasing production of the electric Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox models to boost sales.US EV deliveries were flat in Q2 year-over-year but increased 11% from Q1, per Cox Automotive.Despite the slowdown, Barra remains confident the market will eventually support their EV goals, stating, “We won't get to a million just because the market's not developing, but it will get there.”As Amazon gears up for its 10th Prime Day, rival retailers are not sitting idly by. Major players like Walmart, Target, Kohl's, and newcomers TikTok Shop and Temu have launched their own summer sales to attract deal-hungry shoppers.Retailers are leveraging the excitement around Prime Day to offer their own discounts and promotions, aiming to capture some of Amazon's market share.July sales events help retailers pull in back-to-school shoppers and those looking for summer items, mitigating the traditional summer lull in retail spending.Retailers closely monitor each other's pricing, with some, like Best Buy, adjusting their deals in real-time to stay competitive with Amazon.Perceived deals and the urgency created by limited-time offers can drive significant consumer interest and spending.Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

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

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Ari Redbord, the Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs, to discuss the intersection of cryptocurrency and national security. Ari shares his journey from a federal prosecutor focusing on local crime and national security cases to his current role at TRM Labs. They delve into the complexities of regulating crypto, the role of blockchain in combating illicit finance, and the innovative work TRM Labs is doing to create a safer financial system. Ari also provides insights into the evolution of crypto regulation, the importance of a strong mission in building a company, and the exciting developments happening at Duke University's Digital Assets program. Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, a legal professional, or simply curious about the future of digital assets, this episode offers a wealth of information and inspiration. Make sure to check out TRM Talks and follow our brand new Beyond the Code LinkedIn page. Time Stamps: [00:00] - Introduction and background of Ari Redbord [01:22] - Ari's journey in the federal justice system [02:51] - Early career and experiences as a federal prosecutor [03:54] - Transition to national security and money laundering cases [04:48] - Involvement with crypto in federal cases [06:20] - The impact of Facebook's Libra on crypto regulation [08:05] - Learning resources during the early crypto days [10:46] - Using blockchain to trace illicit activities [12:23] - Overview of TRM Labs and its role in the crypto ecosystem [15:42] - Differentiating TRM Labs from other blockchain analysis tools [16:40] - Ari's role and experiences at TRM Labs [19:14] - Providing data-driven insights to regulators and policymakers [21:08] - The mission-driven approach of TRM Labs [23:56] - Personal passion for crypto and blockchain technology [27:06] - The need to reduce friction in the crypto space [29:42] - Ari's involvement with Duke University's digital assets initiatives [32:09] - The potential of blockchain for certifications and degrees Tune in to hear about: Ari's background and career path in the federal justice system The challenges and opportunities in regulating cryptocurrencies TRM Labs' role in tracking illicit finance and supporting law enforcement The importance of values and mission in building a successful company Innovations and use cases in the blockchain space, including insights from Duke University's Digital Assets program Don't miss this insightful conversation that bridges the gap between technology, policy, and security in the rapidly evolving world of crypto.

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

“Crypto will be a piece in almost every investigation.” In this episode, Ari and Aidan explore the pivotal role of blockchain analytics in crime prevention. They delve into why traceable technologies like the blockchain appeal to both criminals and law enforcement agencies, shedding light on how mixing services can facilitate money laundering and examining the evolution of digital currency investigations using real-world examples like the Bitfinex hack. Ari shares insights from his experiences in both the public and private sectors, including his first encounter with investigating crypto-enabled crimes.Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of balancing financial transparency with individual privacy and advocate for increased education and resources to enable law enforcement agencies to effectively tackle crypto crimes. Timestamps02:30 - Networking and motivation through Ari's running club05:30 - Tackling the complexities of illicit finance and crypto recovery10:00 - Libra's impact on global regulatory conversations14:30 - Understanding cryptocurrency's regulatory challenges21:30 - The normalization of crypto technology30:00 - Cryptocurrency's role in modern asset recovery investigations35:33 - Balancing privacy, innovation and security in the digital age46:45 - Combating scams and enhancing crypto asset recovery50:45 - Ari's advice for fighting crypto-enabled crimesResources Mentioned:TRM LEA Survey 23: 60% of investigations start w/o a crypto element TRM Talks PodcastTRM Weekly Roundup NewsletterTRM's Illicit Crypto Economy Report 2023About our Guest:Ari Redbord is the Global Head of Policy at blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs and the Vice-Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Technology Advisory Committee (TAC), known for his insights on cryptocurrency policy.Prior to TRM, Ari served as the Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the US Treasury, where he regularly collaborated with teams from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCen) to investigate financial crimes involving cryptocurrency assets.DisclaimerOur podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.

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

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

In the latest episode of Block Stars, David Schwartz, Ripple CTO, teams up with leading experts Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy and Government Affairs at TRM Labs and Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder of CertiK to unravel the complexities of blockchain security. - Explore the evolution of blockchain security over the past decade, highlighting XRPL's stability and the opportunities and risks posed by smart contracts.- Delve into the intricacies of blockchain security, discussing the latest advancements, challenges, and strategies for safeguarding digital assets.- Gain valuable predictions and forecasts for the future of blockchain security, including emerging threats, regulatory trends, technological innovations. Join us for an enlightening discussion as we navigate the changing landscape of blockchain security and empower users to protect themselves in the digital age.

Digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized finance offer economic opportunity while also exposing nation-states and economies to genuine risk. While the cryptocurrency industry has grown and evolved at rapid pace, bipartisan lawmakers are actively wrestling with the challenging question of how best to regulate and guardrail new financial tools to foster innovation while protecting U.S. national and economic security.Join FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) for a discussion on digital asset regulation with Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), moderated by Juan C. Zarate, chairman and co-founder of CEFP. The conversation will be followed by a discussion with experts and industry, moderated by Elaine K. Dezenski, senior director and head of CEFP, and featuring Dante Disparte, chief strategy officer and head of global policy for Circle; Sujit Raman, general counsel at TRM Labs; and Amit Sharma, CEO of FinClusive.

In this episode of "High Bit," host Brett Gibson interviews Rahul Raina, cofounder and CTO of TRM Labs. Rahul shares insights into TRM's mission of creating a safer financial system and discusses the launch of their innovative features. The conversation delves into Rahul's background, TRM's approach to tackling financial crimes, and the challenges of processing massive amounts of data in the ever-evolving world of crypto.  00:00 Introduction 2:09 TRM's mission to build a safer financial system 9:20 The question that started TRM 14:47 Breaking down their iteration process 20:21 The journey to pushing the state of the art 24:52 Proportionality as update strategy

Part 2 of 2 – If fortune favors the brave, then North Korea is certainly making a name for itself in the world of crypto; in 2023, hackers linked to the DPRK stole an equivalent of $600 million in global virtual currency. This week, host Elisa is joined by Sujit Raman, Chief Legal Officer at TRM labs. Together, they discuss how North Korea has a documented role in stealing global crypto assets over recent years, and whether broader penalties like sanctions might have any effect. Sujit Raman is the Chief Legal Officer at TRM Labs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mNu3rQ1jZUGGi934L-FS-R1wbNP3mxc9/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=115287310253365681610&rtpof=true&sd=true References: Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework. Department of Justice, 2020: https://www.justice.gov/archives/ag/page/file/1326061/download Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA): https://www.esma.europa.eu/esmas-activities/digital-finance-and-innovation/markets-crypto-assets-regulation-mica “North Korean Hackers Stole $600 Million in Crypto in 2023: Trm Insights.” RSS: www.trmlabs.com/post/north-korean-hackers-stole-600-million-in-crypto-in-2023 “U.S. Treasury Sanctions North Korean Cyber Intrusion Group Kimsuky: Trm Insights.” RSS: www.trmlabs.com/post/us-treasury-sanctions-north-korean-cyber-intrusion-group-kimsuky “North Korean Threat Actors Continue to Target Cryptocurrency Businesses: Trm Insights.” RSS: www.trmlabs.com/post/north-korean-threat-actors-continue-to-target-cryptocurrency-businesses

If fortune favors the brave, then North Korea is certainly making a name for itself in the world of crypto; in 2023, hackers linked to the DPRK stole an equivalent of $600 million in global virtual currency. This week, host Elisa is joined by Sujit Raman, Chief Legal Officer at TRM labs. Together, they discuss the foundations of cryptocurrency, its inherent strengths and vulnerabilities, and the current state of digital asset policy in the United States. Sujit Raman is the Chief Legal Officer at TRM Labs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mNu3rQ1jZUGGi934L-FS-R1wbNP3mxc9/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=115287310253365681610&rtpof=true&sd=true References: Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA): https://www.esma.europa.eu/esmas-activities/digital-finance-and-innovation/markets-crypto-assets-regulation-mica “North Korean Hackers Stole $600 Million in Crypto in 2023: Trm Insights.” RSS, www.trmlabs.com/post/north-korean-hackers-stole-600-million-in-crypto-in-2023 “U.S. Treasury Sanctions North Korean Cyber Intrusion Group Kimsuky: Trm Insights.” RSS, www.trmlabs.com/post/us-treasury-sanctions-north-korean-cyber-intrusion-group-kimsuky “North Korean Threat Actors Continue to Target Cryptocurrency Businesses: Trm Insights.” RSS, www.trmlabs.com/post/north-korean-threat-actors-continue-to-target-cryptocurrency-businesses

This week in crypto, the fallout of Binance's $4 billion fine continued, new NFT games are launched, and CoinShares released their latest report on institutional crypto investments.  Binance's former CEO, CZ, is facing an uncertain future as a judge deliberates on whether to permit his departure from the U.S. before his February 2024 sentencing. CZ recently pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act related to Binance's anti-money laundering policies. While he initially obtained release on a $175 million bond, allowing him to return to the UAE where his family resides, prosecutors raised concerns about a potential flight risk due to his considerable wealth and the absence of an extradition treaty with the UAE. In response, the judge temporarily halted CZ's foreign travel privileges. The sentencing in February 2024 carries the possibility of a prison term ranging from a few months to a maximum of 10 years, and CZ's future endeavors may be influenced by the judge's decision on his travel restrictions. Australian exchange Swyftx has partnered with blockchain forensic firm TRM Labs to combat fraud in the cryptocurrency space. Following government data reporting a substantial $146 million loss in cryptocurrency, the collaboration aims to enhance security measures. Swyftx and TRM Labs are launching a pilot project, encouraging 2,000 customers to activate two-factor authentication on their accounts and complete a course jointly developed by the two companies. As an incentive, participants will receive AUD $10 (~$6.6) in Bitcoin. Swyftx's COO, Jason Titman, highlighted the exchange's success in halting approximately $2 million worth of crypto scams, emphasizing the typical progression of fraud from social media to banking systems and ultimately reaching exchanges. This initiative aims to curb fraudsters in the Australian market following a reported $2 million hack on a local exchange.  BinaryX has launched an AI-based battle royale adventure game, AI Hero, introducing innovative elements of AI technology, Battle Royale, and GameFi. Following the Open Beta release in October, the game utilizes AI-generated content to dynamically shape the gaming experience, altering the world, generating quests, NPC interactions, and events for a unique playthrough each time. With 20 participants simultaneously entering the game, AI plays a crucial role in creating a personalized and ever-changing adventure. PvP gameplay adds intensity, encouraging players to gather resources, craft superior gear, and outmaneuver rivals among the 20 participants for victory. Most interestingly, players have the opportunity to mint NFT heroes after the launch, participating in a competitive mode with potential mining rewards.  Crypto institutional investment marked their ninth consecutive week of inflows, as reported by CoinShares. In the past week alone, inflows reached $346 million, contributing to a total of $1.663 billion for the year. Institutional traders are also gaining exposure through exchange-traded products (ETPs), bringing stability and legitimacy to the space. Bitcoin remains a dominant choice, attracting $312 million in new inflows last week. Ethereum ETPs experienced a significant surge, with a 915% increase in inflows to $33.5 million. Institutional investments in digital asset products have reached their highest point since the late 2021 bull market, with total assets under management (AuM) reaching $45.3 billion. The surge in momentum followed the announcement of spot Bitcoin ETF applications in the US, and Ethereum ETF applications further fueled positive inflows into Ethereum ETPs. Anticipation is high for the approval of spot ETFs in 2024, offering another avenue for institutional exposure.

There's an assumption that cryptocurrency is particularly useful to bad actors and terror organizations... but how true are these assumptions? This is a question on the top of Nicole's mind as she continues to follow the money trail of Hamas' terrorist attack in Israel. To help her answer this question, Nicole speaks with Ari Redbord, the Global Head of Policy at the blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs.

The second week of Sam Bankman-Fried's criminal trial is underway, bringing emotional testimony from SBF's ex-girlfriend and former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, along with some surprising stories about alleged bribes to Chinese officials and discussion about reaching out to the Saudi Crown Prince for help. Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs, discusses why the question of who was actually in charge is so critical to the case, the defense's strategy to discredit Caroline Ellison, and why sidebars in the courtroom can get so heated.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. Show highlights: Why Caroline Ellison is a critical witness on a "number of levels," according to Ari What a software developer at FTX revealed about whether SBF was directing trades Why a lawyer's body language is something the jury looks out for  Why there have been so many sidebars in the trial and why they can sometimes get heated  The reason why the lawyers, particularly the defense team, have been so repetitive with their questions Considering the long prison sentence SBF is facing, why Ari "doesn't understand" SBF's decision to push forward with the trial  Whether, after three days of testimonies, Ellison has come out as a credible witness for the jury Why the defense is facing an "uphill fight" and whether testimony from SBF would serve as a final Hail Mary for them Thank you to our sponsors! Crypto.com Hedera Popcorn Network Guest Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs. Previous appearances on Unchained:  Is TRM Labs Blocking Addresses From DeFi Protocols? Ari Redbord Says Yes The Legal and Regulatory Fallout From Terra's Collapse: Who Will Pay? How Much Prison Time Is FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Facing? Links Previous coverage by Unchained on the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried: Sam Bankman-Fried Trial: Here's Everything That Happened So Far SBF Trial, Day 1: Possible Witnesses Include FTX Insiders, Big Names in Crypto, and SBF's Family SBF Trial, Day 2: DOJ Says Sam Bankman-Fried ‘Lied' While Defense Claims His Actions Were ‘Reasonable' SBF Trial, Day 3: Why a True Believer in FTX Flipped Once He Learned One Fact SBF Trial, Day 4: SBF's Lawyers Annoy Judge Kaplan, While Wang Reveals Alameda's Special Privileges SBF Trial, Day 5: SBF's Defense Finally Found Its Legs, But Can It Counter Caroline Ellison? SBF Trial, Day 6: Caroline Ellison Recalls 'The Worst Week of My Life' SBF's Lawyers Could Be Annoying the Judge. How Might That Impact the Trial? Did Sam Bankman-Fried Have Intent to Defraud FTX Investors? Here's How Sam Bankman-Fried's High-Stakes Trial Could Play Out SBF Trial: How Sam Bankman-Fried's Lawyers Might Try and Win His Case The High-Stakes Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried Begins: What to Expect Go deeper into the trial:  In the SBF Case, Elite Corruption Is What's Really on Trial Cooperating Witnesses in the SBF Trial May Get Little to No Prison Time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs, discusses why Caroline Ellison's testimony has been the most critical in the case so far, why sidebars in the courtroom can get heated, and whether SBF might testify as a final Hail Mary for the defense. The second week of Sam Bankman-Fried's criminal trial is underway, bringing emotional testimony from SBF's ex-girlfriend and former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, along with some surprising stories about alleged bribes to Chinese officials and discussion about reaching out to the Saudi Crown Prince for help. Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs, discusses why the question of who was actually in charge is so critical to the case, the defense's strategy to discredit Caroline Ellison, and why sidebars in the courtroom can get so heated. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.Show highlights:Why Caroline Ellison is a critical witness on a "number of levels," according to AriWhat a software developer at FTX revealed about whether SBF was directing tradesWhy a lawyer's body language is something the jury looks out for Why there have been so many sidebars in the trial and why they can sometimes get heated The reason why the lawyers, particularly the defense team, have been so repetitive with their questionsConsidering the long prison sentence SBF is facing, why Ari "doesn't understand" SBF's decision to push forward with the trial Whether, after three days of testimonies, Ellison has come out as a credible witness for the juryWhy the defense is facing an "uphill fight" and whether testimony from SBF would serve as a final Hail Mary for themThank you to our sponsors! Crypto.com | Hedera | Popcorn NetworkGuest | Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs.Previous appearances on Unchained: Is TRM Labs Blocking Addresses From DeFi Protocols? Ari Redbord Says YesThe Legal and Regulatory Fallout From Terra's Collapse: Who Will Pay?How Much Prison Time Is FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Facing?Links | Previous coverage by Unchained on the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried:Sam Bankman-Fried Trial: Here's Everything That Happened So FarSBF Trial, Day 1: Possible Witnesses Include FTX Insiders, Big Names in Crypto, and SBF's FamilySBF Trial, Day 2: DOJ Says Sam Bankman-Fried ‘Lied' While Defense Claims His Actions Were ‘Reasonable'SBF Trial, Day 3: Why a True Believer in FTX Flipped Once He Learned One FactSBF Trial, Day 4: SBF's Lawyers Annoy Judge Kaplan, While Wang Reveals Alameda's Special PrivilegesSBF Trial, Day 5: SBF's Defense Finally Found Its Legs, But Can It Counter Caroline Ellison?SBF Trial, Day 6: Caroline Ellison Recalls 'The Worst Week of My Life'SBF's Lawyers Could Be Annoying the Judge. How Might That Impact the Trial?Did Sam Bankman-Fried Have Intent to Defraud FTX Investors?Here's How Sam Bankman-Fried's High-Stakes Trial Could Play OutSBF Trial: How Sam Bankman-Fried's Lawyers Might Try and Win His CaseThe High-Stakes Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried Begins: What to ExpectGo deeper into the trial: In the SBF Case, Elite Corruption Is What's Really on TrialCooperating Witnesses in the SBF Trial May Get Little to No Prison Time-Unchained Podcast is Produced by Laura Shin Media, LLC. Distributed by CoinDesk. Senior Producer is Michele Musso and Executive Producer is Jared Schwartz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The most valuable crypto stories for Wednesday, May 24, 2023.This episode is sponsored by Ciphertrace."The Hash" hosts weigh in on the biggest stories shaping the crypto industry today, including ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood says the U.S. is 'losing' the bitcoin movement due to regulation. This comes as Elon Musk offers a warning about dogecoin. Separately, TRM Labs notes that attacks on token protocols and crypto projects dropped 70% in Q1 2023 compared to the same period last year. And, new research from both Chainalysis and Elliptic have put a number on how much fentanyl trade is done in crypto.See also:U.S. Is 'Losing' the Bitcoin Movement: Cathie WoodCathie Wood Thinks the U.S. Crypto Exodus Is Here. Is It?Attackers Left Empty-Handed as Crypto Hacks Drop 70% in Q1 2023Crypto Hacks Are Down and Hackers Tend to Return Stolen Money: TRM Labs ReportCrypto's Fentanyl Trade Worth Tens of Millions: Security Researchers-Ciphertrace, a Mastercard company, helps banks, governments, regulators, exchanges and VASPs to trace the movement and risk of crypto funds, uncover illicit activity, and help comply with global regulations. Get in touch today to find out more at Ciphertrace.com.-This episode has been edited by senior producer Michele Musso and the executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.