Welcome to Risky Business, a limited series in partnership with Trenchcoat Advisors, a risk advisory firm. In an unpredictable, complex, and chaotic world, the business risks are ever-present. To help navigate the challenges ahead, this series delves into the intersection of business and national security — from influence operations and sabotage to hostage diplomacy and investment security, we’re bringing exclusive conversations with leading experts to better understand and anticipate risk!

In episode two, the Burn Bag's Ryan Rosenthal and Trenchcoat's Holden Triplett speak with Ari Redbord about the Web3 domain of risk. Ari helps us understand what the blockchain is and the various use cases for the private and public sectors. The conversation then moves to whether digital currencies are national security threats and how governments around the world have responded. Ari outlines the regulatory approaches (or lack thereof), and how existing laws and regulations are being used to combat financial crime. We also discuss how state and non-state actors use and abuse cryptocurrencies and the blockchain, including North Korea and hacking groups, and whether sanctions are effective against on-chain transactions. The episode rounds out with Ari's advice on how to stay safe, noting the benefits of a public ledger that can be used by law enforcement and the private sector to investigate malign actors and enforce compliance. 

Ari is a Head of Legal and Government Affairs at TRM Labs. Prior to joining TRM, he was the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary and the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.