Crypto and Crime: Inside the FBI’s Virtual Assets Unit

Oct 20, 2025

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The FBI created the Virtual Assets Unit to spearhead the agency’s efforts alongside a network of distributed experts to combat the misuse of digital currencies in criminal activity.

In this episode, Gurvais Grigg (former Chief Technology Officer, Global Public Sector, Chainalysis) gained insights from Patrick Wyman (Unit Chief - Virtual Assets Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)) into the intricacies of the FBI's approach to managing and monitoring virtual assets.

Patrick Wyman shares insights from his extensive career focused on white-collar crimes and articulates the critical importance of fostering collaboration among personnel and divisions, highlighting the unit's journey from a segmented array of expertise to a cohesive force capable of tackling financial crimes across all investigative areas.

This episode dissects the FBI's innovative strategies to maintain efficiency and agility amidst the rapidly evolving virtual asset landscape, but also highlights the challenges the public sector has in staying ahead of the crypto criminals.

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

2 | Patrick's Journey at the FBI and Leading the Virtual Assets Unit

5 | Exploring FBI's Approach to Virtual Assets and White Collar Crime

8 | FBI's Virtual Assets Unit Unifies Expertise Across Divisions

12 | Enhancing Crypto Literacy and Leadership Engagement in the FBI

15 | Emerging Threat Typologies in Crypto Crime

19 | Managing Expertise and Resources in a Dynamic Environment

24 | Seizing Crypto Assets to Disrupt International Criminal Activities

29 | Challenges and Future of Cryptocurrency in Law Enforcement

33 | Building Sustainable Programs Through Strategic Planning and Growth

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Speakers on today’s episode

Gurvais Grigg (former Chief Technology Officer, Global Public Sector, Chainalysis)
Patrick Wyman (Unit Chief - Virtual Assets Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI))

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