Public Key Chainalysis

“We also should not pretend that law enforcement is going to solve the problem.  It only helps, but it doesn't completely solve the problem. There will always be attackers outside the reach of the law” - Brian PakWeb3 was starting to look like the wild west, with smart contract compromises and sophisticated attacks by hackers, but with law enforcement paying serious attention and builders like our guest, Brian Pak, Co-founder and CEO of ChainLight, the industry is starting to shine the light on these illicit actors and combat web3 and Defi hacks. Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) sits down with Brian to discuss the early days of ChainLight, from discovering early Ethereum bugs to creating innovative security solutions like Digital Asset Risk Tracker (DART) and the Relic Protocol. The duo explore major web3 and DeFi exploits, white hat hacking ethics, and South Korean crypto politics. Brian shares how the newly created crypto threat-sharing center (SEAL) is striving to enhance the safety and transparency of the Web3 ecosystem and the emergence of law enforcement engagement. 
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | Brian’s journey into crypto and discovering Ethereum bugs in the early days  
5 | Smart contract code audits and continuing to learn about new web3 attack vectors 
8 | Identifying new and old attack vectors like price oracle manipulation and bridge vulnerabilities
10 | What is the Digital Asset Risk Tracker (DART) and how it identifies illicit trends in memecoin projects
14 | ChainLight introduces Relic Protocol which let smart contracts access historical data without intermediaries
20 | The crypto regulatory framework in South Korea and the impact it has on Singapore
24 | How white hat hackers have been given a bad name in crypto   
28 | Building interoperability and discussions around Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP)
31 | Introducing LUMOS and how Chainlight is illuminating the Shadows of Web3 Hacks
33 | Chainlink joins white hat hacker group SEAL to create crypto threat-sharing center
 
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Website: ChainLight: Thrive Without Fear
Website: LUMOS (powered by Chainlight): Illuminating the Shadows of Web3 Hacks
Article: Cointelegraph: White hat hacker group SEAL launches crypto threat-sharing center
Blog: Are Real-World Assets (RWA) Projects Really Safe?
Article: Ticking Bombs on Interoperability Protocols
Podcast: Ep. 79: Web3 Adoption in Traditional Finance (with Kemal El Moujahid, Chainlink)
Event: TraceDC (July 16-17) The leading public sector event of the cryptocurrency ecosystem
Blog: Public Sector Survey Preview: The 2024 State of Cryptocurrency Investigations Report
YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram 
Speakers on today’s episode
Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
Brian Pak (Co-founder and CEO, ChainLight)
This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.
Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.
Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or va

Wall Street is buzzing with tons of digital asset acronyms like DLT, CBDCs, RWA and Bitcoin ETFs. But what does it all mean? Well, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) sits down with Naresh Nagia (Independent Senior Advisor, Deloitte) for a thoughtful conversation on everything tokenization and how it will disrupt the traditional financial banking system. 
Naresh shares his expertise in financial services and highlights the potential benefits of DLT, such as operational efficiency and the ability to mobilize collateral. 
He also discusses the importance of legal basis, KYC/AML regulations, and cybersecurity in the adoption of DLT and the implementation of smart contracts into the financial ecosystem. Naresh expresses his preference for wholesale CBDC over retail CBDC and emphasizes the significance of Project Agora which is a major project launched by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) for central banks worldwide to explore tokenization of cross-border payments
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | The role of an Independent Senior Advisor at Deloitte and bridging traditional finance and the future of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) 
5 | Envisioning DLT disrupting the traditional financial systems
10 | Smart Contracts are neither smart or contracts
14 | Decentralized Ledgers and Bitcoin ETFs: TradFi meets Crypto
17 | Project Agora: How the Bank for International Settlements is pioneering trust in blockchain technology for cross border payments
20 | The future of stablecoins in global finance and debate over retail vs wholesale CBDCs
26 | The realistic applications of Real World Asset (RWA) Tokenization and what to look
Related resources
Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.
Website: Blockchain & Digital Assets With Deloitte, Trust is non-fungible™
Report: Central Bank Digital Currencies: Building Block of the Future of Value Transfer
Article: Tokenization in financial services: Embracing a new ecosystem
Project: Project Agorá: Central Banks and banking sector embark on major project to explore tokenization of cross-border payments
Registration: Digital premiere of Links 2024 (NYC Main Stage Content and more - Register Now!)
Report: The Chainalysis Crypto Spring Report (Download Now)
YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram 
Speakers on today’s episode
Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
Naresh Nagia (Independent Senior Advisor, Deloitte)
This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.
Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.
Chainalysis 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 Chainalysis. 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. View

“You might think it's risky now to enter crypto. But I can promise you that time is going to flip very quickly where it's going to be risky not to enter crypto” - Farzam Ehsani Capital controls and Government bans have always made launching a crypto exchange in Africa challenging and in this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) sits down with Farzam Ehsani (Co-founder and CEO, VALR), who discusses the journey of South Africa's largest cryptocurrency exchange,from the company's inception in 2018 to securing multiple global licenses. Farzam shares insights on financial sovereignty, regulatory challenges, and the evolving crypto landscape, while reflecting on transitioning from banking to crypto and underscores the importance of integrity and choice in finance. He announces The VALR Grand Slam trading competition, where there is a $60 Million USDT prize pool and  looks forward to  expanding VALR's global footprint and making cryptocurrencies more accessible through innovative financial solutions.
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | Farzam’s introduction to Bitcoin and how it helped him understand the traditional finance ecosystem  
4 | The balance of self sovereignty and acting as a custodial crypto exchange 
7 | How traditional banks decided to move into crypto and the launch of VALR crypto exchange
15 | The rigorous process of obtaining licenses in multiple jurisdictions and adhering to international regulatory requirements and capital controls
25 | Understanding whether VALR is appealing to retail or institutional clients or both 
30 | Is VALR launching its own exchange token or security token?
33 | The challenges with listing tokens and keeping up with customer demand on memecoins  
36 | VALR raises $50 million in Africa’s largest ever crypto raise and even turned away investors
38 | VALR announces $60 Million Grand Slam of Trading Competitions
Related resources
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Website: VALR: Trade spot, margin, futures & OTC on the best crypto trading platform
Video: Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town Conference (Farzam Ehsani "Truth" Talk)
Article: Coindesk: The False Promise Blockchains Will Revolutionize Real-World Assets
Blog: Exploring Crypto Adoption in Africa: Growth and Barriers
Programme: VALR $60 Million Grand Slam of Trading Competitions
Blog: Cryptocurrency Penetrates Key Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa as an Inflation Mitigation and Trading Vehicle
Event: TraceDC (Early Bird Ticket Prices available until June 15, 2024)
Blog: Introduction to Zero-Knowledge Proofs
YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram 
Speakers on today’s episode
Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
Farzam Ehsani (Co-founder and CEO, VALR)
This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.
Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.
Chainalysis 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

When we started this podcast just over 2 years ago, Bitcoin ordinals and inscriptions weren’t even born yet and centralized crypto exchanges releasing their own wallets sounded like fanciful thinking at best.But here we are as these new and evolving technologies are leading the evolution of Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency industry at large. In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) sits down with Jason Lau (Chief Innovation Officer, OKX) who shares his insights and observations from his recent global tour, where he attended conferences in New York, Paris, Dubai, and Brazil.
Jason highlights the growing momentum and enthusiasm in the crypto and Web3 space, as well as the importance of localizing products and services to cater to diverse user bases. Jason also discusses OK Group's focus on self-custody and the launch of their OKX wallet, which aims to empower users to explore the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). Additionally, he touches on OK Group's Layer 2 network (X Layer), their foray into inscriptions (NFTs on Bitcoin) with a new marketplace and their efforts to cater to institutional clients.
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | Global crypto enthusiasm and regulatory conversations from NYC, Dubai and Brazil
4 | OK Groups International expansion and broad customer base  
7 | Advancing transparency and self-custody in crypto exchanges and understanding the evolution of the proof of reserve audits 
11 | Embracing Web3 through user-friendly crypto wallets and building a L2 blockchain (X Layer)
16 | The evolving role of crypto exchanges and the impact of DeFi Regulation
22 | Exploring the impact of inscriptions on the Bitcoin network and whether NFTs are Dead
25 | Innovating institutional crypto trading and custody solutions 
28 | OKX's upcoming Web3 initiatives with McLaren F1 and Manchester City FC
 
Related resources
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Website: OKX: Faster, better, stronger than your average crypto exchange
Website: Ignite your creativity: X Layer is a ZK-powered layer 2 network
Article: About inscriptions and how they're shaping Web3's growth
Announcement: OKX has Teamed Up with McLaren Racing to Honor Senna's Legacy in Monaco
Blog: Chainalysis in Action: Illicit Residential Proxy Service Shut Down by Law Enforcement, Three Administrators Sanctioned by OFAC
Event: TraceDC (Early Bird Ticket Prices available until June 15, 2024)
YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram 
Speakers on today’s episode
Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
Jason Lau (Chief Innovation Officer, OKX)
This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.
Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.
Chainalysis 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

“We swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States… But nowhere in there does it say, 'Oh, except for the internet. We can't go into the internet realm or the crypto realm.” - Tony MooreCryptocurrency has always been unchartered territory for law enforcement all around the world, but the crypto-related crimes are too big to deny and in this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) sits down with Tony Moore (Deputy Sheriff, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) who has been teaching the law enforcement community about Bitcoin since the early days.  
Tony shares his experiences investigating cases involving crypto, including social media parties, crypto ATM scams, pig butchering and SIM-swapping, while recognizing the challenges of staying ahead of criminals in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.
He reinforces the importance of reporting crimes, the challenges of cross-jurisdictional investigations, and the future of blockchain and AI.
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | Childhood dreams of Starsky & Hutch to joining Law Enforcement  
4 | Tony Describes his path into teaching other LEAs about internet and then crypto crimes
6 | Cracking Down on social media-advertised Nitrous Oxide (NOS) parties
10 | Early encounters with crypto in Law Enforcement
15 | Balancing cryptocurrency ATM regulation and innovation 
19 | Combating Sim-Swapping and Pig Butchering Scams while maintaining effective reporting
25 | Tackling crypto scams across jurisdictions and forging international policing partnerships 
28 | Master cryptoverse policing in Tony’s new 5 day course
34 | Embracing continuous learning in AI and the evolving crypto landscape
 
Related resources
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Website: The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Website: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Nation’s central hub for reporting cyber crime, run by the FBI
Whitepaper: A Fistful of Bitcoins Characterizing Payments Among Men with No Names (Sarah Meiklejohn and others)
Interview: In conversation with the world’s first and only standalone virtual assets regulator: Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
Blog: Crypto Mining Pools Overview: How They Work, Benefits, and Risks
YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram 
Speakers on today’s episode
Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
Tony Moore (Deputy Sheriff, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)
This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.
Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.
Chainalysis 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 Chainalysis. 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

Fresh off the stage of the Links Conference,  Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) speaks to Andrew Davis (General Counsel, Kivu Consulting), who presented in front of a packed house and shared insights about new ransomware strategies and how companies can better protect themselves. Andrew discusses the evolving landscape of ransomware attacks and the challenges faced by victim organizations when deciding whether or not to make payment. He shares the wide spectrum of new typologies, including  cyber extortion and data theft and how the major exploits of pharmacy payment processors and oil pipelines has attracted law enforcement to take swift action against ransomware groups. Andrew also highlights the most common attack vectors and social engineering attack vectors, while presenting the new challenges that AI will have on deep fakes and image/video modifications used by ransomware attackers. 
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | Overflowing Interest in Cybersecurity at Chainalysis Links Conference 2024  
4 | Rise in cyber extortion and data theft and strategies for handling ransomware attacks
8 | Negotiating ransomware demands and law enforcement dynamics 
12 | Strategies and sanctions risks in ransomware payment decisions
17 | Ransomware attack disrupts major pharmacy companies, oil pipelines and casinos
21 | Debating the ban on ransomware payments and understanding Initial Access Brokers (IACs)
23 | The perils of reused passwords, account breaches and sophisticated fake recruiting attack vectors
28 | The evolving threat of AI and its role in sophisticated ransom attacks
Related resources
Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.
Website: Kivu: We fight cybercrime. We protect humanity
Article: Can Organizations Still Pay Ransomware Demands?
Article: Emerging Threat Alert: Drive-By-Compromise On The Rise As Gootloader Malware Exploits Seo Poisoning To Target Victims
Registration: Digital premiere of Links 2024 (NYC Main Stage Content and more - Register Now!)
Blog:  Understanding Crypto Drainers
Blog: Ransomware Payments Exceed $1 Billion in 2023, Hitting Record High After 2022 Decline
YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments
Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram
Speakers on today’s episode
Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
Andrew Davis (General Counsel, Kivu Consulting)
This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.
Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.
Chainalysis 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 Chainalysis. 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 Chainalysis employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of t