With the Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report about to be released and the news about Bybit and the largest crypto hack in history, there is no better time than to discuss DPRK, sanctions evasion and the rise of crypto services used by illicit actors, including Huione Guarantee and Russian Instant Exchangers.

In this episode, we feature our own national security and intelligence experts at Chainalysis, Eitan Danon (Content Marketing Manager) and Andrew Fierman (Head of National Security Intelligence).

The duo acknowledges the emerging networks and alliances among nations like Russia, Iran, North Korea and China and how blockchain technology is transforming sanctions enforcement, citing examples like Hamas and North Korea.

The conversation also highlights Russia's legislative changes and cross-border transactions, while placing an important awareness of professionalization in the crypto crime ecosystem and the national security risks that the entire ecosystem faces.

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

2 | Sanctions and crypto and how to navigate geopolitical challenges

8 | Hamas and Al Qassam brigades use crypto donations for terrorist financing

11 | Emergence of Russian Instant Exchangers and Russian bank sanctions evasion

13 | Understanding “Secondary Sanctions” and how they apply to crypto

19 | Crypto networks and alliances forming amongst Russia, Iran, North Korea and China

23 | How Iran and Russia are using crypto to move conduct crypto cross border payments

27 | Southeast Asia and the surge of crypto crime and pig butchering schemes

29 | Exposing the Huione Guarantee service provider and why they are at the heart of the massive crypto crime ecosystem

Related resources

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

Speakers on today’s episode

Eitan Danon *Host* (Content Marketing Manager, Chainalysis)
Andrew Fierman (Head of National Security Intelligence, Chainalysis)

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 the company.

#06 | Investieren in Aktien ist nicht alles