How Crypto Fuels Trade Based Money Laundering

In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) speaks to Michael Firing (Assistant Director, Field Operations, Center for Intelligence, Targeting, and Enforcement (CITE), who is involved with investigations covering human and fentanyl trafficking, trade based money laundering and the movement of crypto in and out of the US. 

They discuss the role of the newly created CITE agency in combating various threats, including terrorism, transnational organized crime, and illicit trade. 

Michael also highlights the challenges of  the increasing use of cryptocurrency in criminal activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking and the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in addressing these challenges.

Michael explains the importance of leveraging cryptocurrency analysis to support investigations and disrupt criminal networks by having a coordinated multi-agency approach.

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

2 | Introducing customs and border protection's intelligence arm  

4 | Combating transnational threats with intelligence and cryptocurrency analysis 

7 | Trade Based Money Laundering (TBML): From suitcases to thumb drives

10 | The rise of crypto in illicit precursor chemical sales and drug trafficking

13 | Collection of vast amounts of data to support other agency’s investigative efforts

16 | Global collaboration for the fight against crypto related crimes 

Related resources

Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.

• Website: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enhancing the nation’s security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.
• Article: America’s Front Line Against Fentanyl
• Article: Increasing the Focus on Trade-Based Money Laundering
• Registration: Digital premiere of Links 2024 (NYC Main Stage Content and more - Register Now!)
• Blog: Crypto and the Opioid Crisis: What Blockchain Analysis Reveals About Global Fentanyl Sales [UPDATED 3/7/24]
• Article: Emirates NBD welcomes Chainalysis to Digital Asset Lab Council
• LinkedIn Post: Chainalysis is officially in 🇦🇪 Dubai!
• 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) 
• Michael Firing (Assistant Director, Field Operations, Center for Intelligence, Targeting, and Enforcement (CITE)

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