You knew this was coming.  A course in cryptocurrency investigations.  There is no faster and comprehensive method to learn cryptocurrency investigations than to take a class in it and study a book about it.   As the book is being written, the course is being developed alongside the book as a companion to the book.  If you have not come across cryptocurrency in your investigations yet, I promise you that you will soon enough.  When it does show up, and you are not prepared, your case is not going to get the full attention needed if you are not already prepared.

"Bitcoin" has been in the news more and more lately.  You probably have already heard of Bitcoin, but may not actually own any, nor understand how it works.  The intention of both the book and course is to give you the 'need to know' information of what it is and also the 'must know' information of how to investigate cryptocurrency.  Cryptocurrency is much more than just Bitcoin.  Way way much more.  The entire blockchain universe has begun to change the way data and records (and currency!) are being created and maintained.   In your lifetime, there will not be an investigation where some aspect of the blockchain and cryptocurrency is not a part, whether it be a tangent to your case or instrumental to it.  Criminal and civil investigations both.  Crimes from petty theft to murder.  You will see aspects of the blockchain in most everything.

Bitcoin Forensics | Investigating Cryptocurrency Crimes

But don't worry.  This book, the first book to be conceived and to be published on this subject, is covering all of it.  And if you want to see demonstrations, follow along with exercises, and actually trace transactions online in real-time, this course that will compliment the book is for you.

You may be able to tell that I am really excited about this book and course.  I am actually excited about the changes to investigations as we know it today due to the blockchain.  You cannot ignore the future in your cases and how this technology is changing everything.  Money laundering is a whole new world with cryptocurrency.  From small time street dealers to international drug trafficking organizations, the time is not only coming near, but is already here.  If you have read any of my previous investigative books, you know that I cover not only the things you can only do with search warrants, but also the things that you can do without any court order.  This applies to both civil and criminal cases, as many times you can get exactly what you need in a timely fashion when you know exactly where to look and what to look for, when it is publicly available.  That is the intention of both this book and course.  Deep dive into the operating system to find the crypto artifacts and hop online to trace the transactions from their origin to destinations. 

The Bitcoin Forensic book is moving forward with a fantastic addition of a tech editor: Heather Mahalik!.  I could not be more honored than to have Heather as the tech editor.  If you are reading this, you already know who Heather is in the DFIR community, but if not, take a look here: Heather's Bio.

A few things about the book.

Yes, it is tentatively titled “Bitcoin Forensics”, but the subtitle is “Cryptocurrency Investigations”.  The intention is to not only cover Bitcoin, but the alternative coins (altcoins) as well.   Coins such as Litecoin and Monero will be in the book because few investigations will have only one coin involved since converting from one coin to another in attempts to launder proceeds will most likely occur in every fraud investigation.  I've had a few conversations about the anonymous coins, where tracing transactions is 'impossible'.   There is always something you can do that benefits a case, even when something is seemingly impossible.  The book will cover those difficult cases too.

Another thing…most analysts and investigators have not yet come across cryptocurrency in their investigations.  Consider that if you are not looking for it, you will not find it, and by not looking for it, this will be the biggest hole in your investigation.  Even if you find evidence of fraud/money laundering with cryptocurrency, you can easily miss important evidence that may not be found until later, if ever (such as this case).  Our current lack of competence in this area only makes it easier for criminals to succeed.  For the forensic analyst, you need to know not only the artifacts of cryptocurrency evidence, but also that what amounts to evidence (ie: what is evidence).  

If you don’t believe Bitcoin (as in all types of cryptocurrency, not just Bitcoin) isn’t going to be a major method of financial transactions and part of most every money laundering, fraud, and IP theft case, consider that it already is, you just don't know it yet.  The Bitcoin Forensics book will show the forensic artifacts along with the 'how money laundering works with cryptocurrency' in order to walk you through your first case and the next case and the next case and the...

As to cryptocurrency adoption in everyday life....it is already here.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/first-bitcoin-only-real-estate-transaction-completed-in-texas 

A suggestion: You may want to buy a little Bitcoin to start your foundation of what you will be coming across in your cases...

If you haven't got into cryptocurrency yet and want $10 of free Bitcoin, use this referral link to sign up for a Coinbase account: https://www.coinbase.com/join/57c8a8bcded4fa009924eae5 .  

The table of contents is done!  Or at least the tentative table of contents is done.

You'd figure that a table of contents would be the easiest thing to write for a nonfiction book, but not only is it not the easiest, but it changes as you write.  I've learned that a good plan for a table of contents helps keep the book focused, but I also learned that as you research, you either add or subtract to the original plan.  Some of the book has been started as well, but the table of contents is what I want to get out for a few reasons.  One, build your interest in cryptocurrency investigations and get you excited about the book, (2) get input if you have it on what you would like to see in the book, and (3) check if you have interest in contributing to the book process.

• Introduction
  • You should maybe get started learning this sooner than later
  • Eventually, every case where money is involved will involve cryptocurrency
• Chapter 1 - Money
  • Currency
  • Physical money
  • Virtual money
• Chapter 2 - Money Laundering
  • Traditional methods (simple to complex) with physical money
  • High tech methods (simple to complex) with virtual money
• Chapter 3 - The Blockchain
  • It is not just for Bitcoin
  • Blockchain is a big deal
• Chapter 4 - Wallets, Exchanges, and Transactions
  • How to use cryptocurrency
  • How cryptocurrency changes everything in money laundering investigations
• Chapter 5 - Anonymity and Cryptocurrency
  • You are not anonymous when using cryptocurrency
  • You are anonymous when using cryptocurrency
  • The Dark Web Markets and Cryptocurrency
• Chapter 6 - Cryptocurrency Investigations
  • Device forensics (artifacts)
  • Forensic tools
  • Tracking transactions on the Blockchain
  • Seizing wallets
  • Identifying the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet
  • Legal issues
• Chapter 7 - Case Studies
  • Money laundering related crimes
  • Terrorism
• Chapter 8
  • Putting it all together
  • Tying suspects to wallets and devices
  • Tying suspects to cryptocurrency transactions
• Summary
• Appendix
  • Everything we can put together as resources for you!

We have a general idea of how long each section will be, but won't know until we write it.  So one chapter may be way longer than another simply because there is so much to discuss.  Don't worry about being overwhelmed with cryptocurrency information as this book is for you, the practitioner, the investigator, and the trier of cases.

There is one request (or offer, depending on how you look at it):

If you ever thought of writing a book, or contributing to a book, but wanted to dip your toes in first, this is an opportunity.  I have a handful of crypo cases worked and Tim has more than a bit of research into cryptocurrency investigations.  I already have a few offers of case studies and research that I will be taking people up on; however, if you have interest as a contributor, email me (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).  Whether you'd like one of your cases featured in a case study, share some things you did in a case, or share some research findings, we are open to all.  That what we use is credited directly to you in a peer-reviewed, tech-edited, professionally published digital forensics book.  

On case studies you may want to use, I am way familiar with police cases, privacy, and legal restrictions on public disemination. I am also aware of public records laws and if you have a case to talk about, I can easily formally receive a copy through public records and be able to talk to you about it without worrying of releasing any information that should not be released.

On research, if you have done some work already, we're glad to incorporate part or whole, as you would like seen in the book.

Our goal is not fame or fortune, but to write the best book on a topic that will be red hot sooner than you think.  But if you want to be famous...get ahold of me. I'll put in you in the book :)