Investigating Cryptocurrencies Understanding, Extracting, and Analyzing Blockchain Evidence

An Essential Guide to the Tools and Techniques of Cryptocurrency Forensics

Cryptocurrency is exploding in popularity. Once relegated to the Dark Web and used primarily for illicit activities, virtual currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are now being used as investments and in more mainstream transactions. As major banks keep close watch, these currencies are gaining ground, with all signs pointing toward expansion in use and accessibility. There is currently $150 billion in circulating cryptocurrency, with $3 billion changing hands daily—yet none of this can be traced by normal means. Investigating Cryptocurrencies provides cyber and financial investigators with the necessary background, techniques, and methodologies to break through the blockchain "lockdown" and investigate crimes involving cryptocurrency transactions.

Globally recognized cybersecurity and forensics expert Nick Furneaux demystifies blockchain technology and gives investigators who are entering this new playing field practical guidance. By linking the familiar investigative workflow with essential tools and techniques that are specific to cryptocurrency forensics, Furneaux has compiled a complete playbook for all major stages of an investigation. Topics discussed in this book include cryptocurrency detection, blockchain visualization, address and transaction extraction, micromessage detection, and much more. Real-world tools and techniques give readers insight into the practices used by criminals. With cryptocurrencies rapidly advancing into the mainstream and bringing outside crime into the cybersecurity realm, this book provides the critical information that forensics professionals will need to remain effective as currency moves online.

With step-by-step instruction bolstered by in-depth explanations and expert perspective, Investigating Cryptocurrencies will help you:

• Develop a deeper understanding of blockchain and transaction technologies
• Set up and run a cryptocurrency account
• Access raw data on blockchain ledgers
• Track transactions and build information on specific addresses
• Identify the real-world users behind a transaction
• Understand "coin" seizure methodology
• Use appropriate technology and techniques during investigations

Investigate crimes involving cryptocurrencies and other blockchain technologies

Bitcoin has traditionally been the payment system of choice for a criminal trading on the Dark Web, and now many other blockchain cryptocurrencies are entering the mainstream as traders are accepting them from low-end investors putting their money into the market. Worse still, the blockchain can even be used to hide information and covert messaging, unknown to most investigators.

Investigating Cryptocurrencies is the first book to help corporate, law enforcement, and other investigators understand the technical concepts and the techniques for investigating crimes utilizing the blockchain and related digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

• Understand blockchain and transaction technologies
• Set up and run cryptocurrency accounts
• Build information about specific addresses
• Access raw data on blockchain ledgers
• Identify users of cryptocurrencies
• Extracting cryptocurrency data from live and imaged computers
• Following the money

With nearly $150 billion in cryptocurrency circulating and $3 billion changing hands daily, crimes committed with or paid for with digital cash are a serious business. Luckily, Investigating Cryptocurrencies Forensics shows you how to detect it and, more importantly, stop it in its tracks.