Course Outline
Foundations of Blockchain Technology
Architectural properties of decentralization, openness, and transparency
Cryptographic primitives securing the chain: hashing, digital signatures, and Merkle trees
Consensus mechanisms: Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and emerging alternatives
Network topology involving nodes, miners, and validators
Understanding the Cryptocurrency Landscape
Bitcoin and the foundational ledger model
Ethereum and account-based smart contract execution
Privacy-focused chains: Monero, Zcash, and their distinctions from transparent ledgers
Stablecoins, altchains, and their role in illicit financial flows
Practical Lab - Analyzing the Blockchain
Connecting to Bitcoin and Ethereum nodes for real-time data access
Navigating block explorers and querying live transactions
Interpreting raw transactions, scripts, and smart contract calls
Mapping a wallet's activity history on transparent chains
Wallets, Keys, and Transaction Mechanics
Wallet classifications: web, desktop, mobile, hardware, and custodial versus non-custodial options
Seed phrases, key derivation processes, and recovery methods
Transaction models: UTXO versus account-based systems
Addresses, change outputs, and transaction graph analysis from an investigator's perspective
Mining and Trading as Investigative Context
Mining mechanics, pools, hash rates, and how mining operations are exploited for money laundering or fund origination
Centralized exchanges (CEX), decentralized exchanges (DEX), and over-the-counter (OTC) desks
KYC and AML controls at exchanges and their vulnerabilities
How trading patterns can obscure underlying corruption flows
Smart Contracts and the DeFi Ecosystem
Understanding smart contracts and their on-chain observability
DeFi primitives: swaps, lending, liquidity pools, and yield farming
Cross-chain bridges and wrapped assets as obfuscation mechanisms
Analyzing contract interactions for investigative indicators
Practical Lab - Wallet and Transaction Forensics
Inspecting hardware and software wallets in a controlled setting
Recovering and analyzing artifacts from seized devices
Reconstructing transaction graphs across UTXO and account-based chains
Address Clustering and Attribution
Common-input clustering and other industry-standard heuristics
Change-output detection and behavioral fingerprinting
Linking on-chain entities to off-chain identities using OSINT
Combining web crawling, social media, and leaked data sources for attribution
Dark Web, Marketplaces, and Criminal Cryptocurrency Flows
Mapping criminal economies within dark web marketplaces
Common typologies: scams, fraud, contraband, and sanctions evasion
Tracking proceeds from initial deposit through cash-out points
Indicators of corruption-linked cryptocurrency activity
Privacy-Enhancing Tools and Counter-Forensics
Mixers, tumblers, and CoinJoin implementations
Privacy coins and the limitations of public-chain tracing
Cross-chain bridges and asset wrapping as obfuscation layers
Recovery capabilities and limitations for each technique
Practical Lab - Tracing a Suspect Wallet
Using open-source tools to follow complex transaction graphs
Clustering wallet networks and assigning confidence levels to attribution
Documenting findings as a structured intelligence package
Money Laundering Typologies in Crypto
Placement, layering, and integration adapted for digital assets
Layering through decentralized exchanges, bridges, and mixers
DeFi protocols as laundering surfaces and how to interpret them
Cash-out vectors: peer-to-peer markets, OTC desks, and prepaid instruments
Ransomware, Theft, and Scam Response
Ransomware payment patterns and immediate response procedures
Negotiation and recovery practices, including limitations and risks
Exchange hacks, rug pulls, phishing, and large-scale theft analysis
Collaborating with victims to preserve evidence without compromising the investigation
Cross-Chain Investigation Techniques
Tracing assets across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and EVM-compatible chains
Following funds through bridges and wrapped tokens
Reconciling on-chain evidence with exchange and off-chain records
Practical Simulation - Corruption Investigation Lab
Simulated bribery flow across multiple chains and a mixer
Building a coherent narrative from fragmented on-chain evidence
Producing chain-of-custody documentation for digital evidence
AML Compliance and the Legal Landscape
FATF guidance, the Travel Rule, and jurisdictional differences
AML and KYC obligations across virtual asset service providers
Sanctions, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and corruption-relevant typologies
Integrating cryptocurrency findings into existing compliance programs
Engaging Exchanges and Cross-Border Partners
Subpoenas, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), and information-sharing channels
Freezing orders, asset preservation, and seizure procedures
Coordinating cryptocurrency tracing with traditional financial investigation lines
Digital Evidence and Courtroom Readiness
Chain of custody for cryptocurrency artifacts and on-chain evidence
Presenting blockchain evidence to non-technical decision-makers and juries
Common challenges to digital evidence and strategies to defend findings
Working with expert witnesses and external technical advisors
Capstone - End-to-End Corruption Inquiry Simulation
Conducting a full investigation starting from an initial intelligence tip
Building the wallet network, attribution, and timeline
Engaging exchanges and cross-border partners
Producing a courtroom-ready report and delivering an oral briefing
Summary and Next Steps
Requirements
- Intermediate technical proficiency, including knowledge of networking and basic Linux command-line operations
- Working understanding of cryptographic principles such as hashing and public-key encryption
- Professional background in financial investigation, cybersecurity, digital forensics, or regulatory compliance
- Familiarity with at least one scripting language is advantageous but not mandatory
- General grasp of financial transactions and AML principles
Intended Audience
Investigators and forensic analysts within anti-corruption agencies, financial crime units, and law enforcement bodies. Cybersecurity specialists supporting fraud detection, AML, and digital evidence collection. Compliance and risk professionals operating in regulated sectors with growing cryptocurrency exposure.
Testimonials (2)
- like the blockchain introduction. For a blockchain newbie like me, its englighten me. - Like the technical workshop, also interesting
Muhammad Lutfi Budiansyah - PT Digital Daya Teknologi
Course - Web3 Engineering & Supply Chain Finance Architecture
I really enjoy the training with Patrick. He is clearly very knowledgeable on various topics related to blockchain. He explains really well.
