Public Key

“Lack of faith in local economic policies, it's political instability, it's depreciating currency, it's runaway inflation. So it's all these economic factors that play into a person not willing to hold their local currency and would much rather hold this digital dollar.” - Chris Harmse  Two-thirds (⅔) of every crypto transaction is conducted using stablecoins and there is no doubt the future of digital dollars is happening today. In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) speaks with Chris Harmse, the Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of BVNK, whose company just released an industry leading report, The Decade of Digital Dollars.  Chris shares insights on the rapid developments in cryptocurrency, the stablecoin market, and how BVNK is facilitating smoother transactions across traditional and digital financial systems, while acknowledging the regulatory challenges and the ongoing wars between Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains. He discusses the evolution of financial systems in South Africa, LATAM and other emerging markets, where stablecoins meet the demand for accessible cross-border payments and solve for the instability of local currencies.   Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | How Chris got into crypto working at an FX desk in an investment firm  4 | BVNK's Journey from South African crypto pioneers to global innovators 7 | Bridging traditional and blockchain payments with stablecoin solutions integrating with SWIFT 9 | Introduction of PayPal’s stablecoin, PYUSD into the BVNK stablecoin infrastructure 11 | Stablecoin listing process and Solana leading Layer 1 payments race 13 | MiCA regulations and stablecoin opportunities in Europe 16 | Key findings from the BVNK’s Stablecoin Report on the Decade of Digital Dollars 18 | The cost of holding a local fiat currency that is losing value over time  22 | Case Study: Visa's blockchain integration for faster stablecoin settlements 25 | The rise of non-USD stablecoins in global trade and CBDC popularity 28 | The future of payments: Blockchain, stablecoins, and global expansion Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: BVNK: Accelerating global money movement Report: The decade of digital dollars: Unlocking economic efficiency with stablecoins Press Release: We’re partnering with Circle to streamline global business payments Video: Currency LDN 2024: Bridging the compliance gap Customer Story: Calgary Police Service pioneers innovation to keep citizens safe in a digital world Reports: The 2024 Geography of Crypto Report (Download now!) Reports: The 2024 Crypto Maturity Journey: How Traditional Finance Can Adopt Cryptocurrency in Stages (Just Released - Download now!) YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Chris Harmse (Co-founder, Chief Business Officer, BVNK)  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. 

Traditional financial crime has evolved from robbing banks to now draining crypto wallets and law enforcement is expected to keep up with this lightning quick and cutting edge technology to combat transnational criminals. In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) speaks with Jason Conboy, a Special Agent for the Cyber Investigations Liaison team of Homeland Security Investigations. Jason was on stage to accept a Chainalysis customer award for his team’s collaboration with the RCMP in Canada for their efforts to take down a drug trafficking operation involving crypto and darknet markets, as part of Operation Hackstone. Jason illustrates the critical role HSI plays alongside agencies like the FBI and CIA in tackling crimes that span borders and explains the nuances of fighting modern crimes in a digital era, spotlighting the hurdles and triumphs in using advanced technology to combat cybercriminal activities. He also emphasizes the indispensable nature of public private partnerships as well as multi-agency collaborations in building effective defenses against evolving criminal strategies.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Jason’s experience working in law enforcement battling cyber crime and darknet markets 4 | Exploring the role of Homeland Security Investigations in combating cybercrime and transnational organized crime  7 | Evolving criminal tactics and law enforcement's technological adaptation 9 | Cross-border collaboration in combating transnational crime and protecting USA/Canada border 14 | Challenges for investigators, judges and juries when it comes to crypto based investigations 17 | Recruiting Technologically Skilled Agents for Homeland Security Investigations 20 | Public-Private Partnerships and the role they have in fighting cyber crime and money laundering  23 | Multi-agency initiatives to take down crypto and transnational organized crime 26 | HSI’s expansion of the cybercrime center and portfolios in the network intrusion and darknet market space Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: HSI: We shield our nation from global threats to ensure Americans are safe and secure Website: HSI Cyber Crimes Center (C3): Forensic, intelligence and investigative support services Press Release: Operation Hackstone: Federal RCMP and Homeland Security Investigations disrupt international drug trafficker who was using the dark-web Report: Homeland Security Investigations and ACAMS Alert: Pig Butchering  Newsletter: HSI Cornerstone: Spreading awareness to detect and close vulnerabilities within U.S. financial, trade and transportation sectors  Blog: Announcing Chainalysis’ 2024 U.S. Public Sector Customer Awards Program Reports: The 2024 Crypto Maturity Journey: How Traditional Finance Can Adopt Cryptocurrency in Stages (Just Released - Download now!) Reports: The 2024 Geography of Crypto Report (Download now!) YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Jason Conboy (Special Agent - Cyber Investigations Liaison, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)) 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.  

Tal Zackon, CEO and co-founder of TRES Finance, discusses the transformative approach to data in the digital asset landscape. He highlights the importance of having a comprehensive view of assets for effective back office operations. Tal reveals their innovative Proof of Funds feature aimed at enhancing transparency and compliance. He also shares insights on strategic partnerships like Fireblocks and the use of AI to tackle blockchain data challenges. Additionally, he navigates the complexities of regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving crypto environment.

Almost 110,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023 and 80 percent of those deaths were attributed to fentanyl, which is unprecedented in American history.  In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) discusses these horrific stats with respect to fentanyl trafficking and the technology-driven evolution of drug cartels with Jim Schrant (Director of Strategy and Growth, CACI International) Jim provides a comprehensive look at his extensive career in the DEA, offering insights into the evolving landscape of drug trafficking facilitated by cryptocurrency and how their new solution, CluesAI and other technology, gives law enforcement a fighting chance against modern day drug traffickers. He also provides in-depth analysis of the role darknet markets and precursors like Xylazine add to the fentanyl crisis and identifies the role Cartels and Chinese money launderer organizations play in moving crypto and cash around internationally.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Jim’s law enforcement journey beginning with investigation Colombian drug cartels 4 | Evolution of technology used by criminals and the emergence of sophisticated Fentanyl production and trafficking 8 | How the Darknet Market’s role in fueling the  Xylazine and Fentanyl crisis 12 | Crypto becomes main way that drug cartels are moving the proceeds of Fentanyl sales  18 | Challenges and innovations in law enforcement's technical evolution in investigating drug trafficking 22 | Revolutionizing Darkweb investigations with CluesAI for law enforcement 30 | Modernizing Federal law enforcement through technology and expertise Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: DarkBlue: AI-Enhanced Dark Web Analysis Video: CluesAI: The newest tool in the DarkBlue Intelligence Suite to identify threats on the dark and open web Whitepaper: Disrupting Fentanyl and precursor trafficking with dark web intelligence Free Trial:: DarkBlue: Experience the DarkBlue Difference: Request unlimited access to a free 30‑day trial account and discover why experts trust DarkBlue. One-Pager: DarkBlue Intelligence Suite: Unlock new leads with CluesAI Report: Archetyp Market: A Haven for US-Based Fentanyl Traffickers Blog: Anatomy of an Address Poisoning Scam Blog: Crypto and the Opioid Crisis: What Blockchain Analysis Reveals About Global Fentanyl Sales (UPDATED 3/7/24) Reports: The 2024 Geography of Crypto Report (Download now!) YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Jim Schrant (Director, Strategy and Growth, CACI International) 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. 

Tokenization of real world assets is all the rage in crypto for 2024 and  Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis)  sits down with Chris Tyrrell, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer of Ondo Finance, to share their role as a frontrunner in tokenizing US treasuries. Chris shares regulatory compliance challenges, Ondo's global operations and partnerships with major players like BlackRock and how throughout his career he has bridged the inferentrial gaps in conversations when speaking with traditional institutions and regulators. Chris discusses the significant shift in 2017 that brought institutional attention to cryptocurrencies and explains Ondo's approach to the compliant tokenization of US treasuries and the planned expansion into more asset classes. He emphasizes the benefits of tokenization such as composability, rapid settlement and an innovative approach to yield distribution, contrasting it with traditional stablecoins and underscored the importance of robust risk management tools, highlighting the integration of Chainalysis for Know Your Ecosystem risk monitoring.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Chris’ journey from crowdfunding, TradFi and changing his mind about crypto in 2017 7 | The benefit of having tokenized US Treasury Bills on the blockchain 10 | Ondo Finance’s global operations and regulatory approach 13 | Managing ecosystem risk and compliance in DeFi assets 16 | Ondo Finance’s strategy for global tokenization of real world assets (RWAs) 22 | Tokenization and institutional partnership with BlackRock 27 | Bridging inferential gaps in Tradfi and blockchain conversations 30 | How Ondo Finance uses Chainalysis tools to balance compliance and tokenization Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: Ondo Finance: Institutional-Grade Finance, Now Onchain Website: Flux: Lend and borrow stablecoins against tokenized US Treasuries Blog: Introducing "Know Your Ecosystem" (KYE): The Next Frontier in AML for Token Issuers Blog:: Introducing Ondo Global Markets - A New Paradigm for Securities Tokenization Blog: Bridging the Gap: Institutional Insights on Tokenization with Ondo Finance Blog: North America: Institutional Momentum and U.S. Bitcoin ETPs Propel Crypto Further Into the Mainstream Webinar: On-Demand Series: Crypto Adoption Webinar Series: What Drove the Crypto Bull Run in 2024? Reports: The 2024 Geography of Crypto Report (Download now!) YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Chris Tyrrell (Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Ondo Finance) 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. 

3 times a charm! This is the 3rd time Erin West (Deputy District Attorney, Santa Clara County, Office of the District Attorney) has appeared on the podcast speaking with Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) and all 3 episodes have been the most downloaded episodes in Public Key history. Erin talks about the evolution of combating crypto crimes, from SIM swapping to pig butchering scams.  She highlights the growing efforts with the Crypto Coalition and Operation Shamrock and how she will be leaving her position as Deputy District Attorney in Santa Clara to pursue operating Operation Shamrock full time. She reveals the bottleneck when it comes to combating pig butchering including victim shaming and the transnational organization of criminal syndicates.   She also highlights the need for a unified national strategy against crypto-related scams and increased public private partnerships and collaboration, which in part earned her the Chainalysis Customer Bridge Builder Award and recognition as the ACAMS AFC Professional of the year.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Erin West's impactful work in SIM Swapping and Pig Butchering and law enforcement 4 | The global threat of Pig Butchering Scams and transnational organized crime syndicates 6 | Psychological manipulation and its impact on educated and technical professionals 8 | Being named Chainalysis Customer Award winner as Bridge Builder of the Year (2024)  9 | Building bridges in cryptocurrency investigations and global collaboration with REACT Taskforce and Operation Shamrock  13 | Collaborative solutions to combat Pig Butchering scams 17 | The bottleneck of fighting Pig Butchering is handling victims  20 | Erin West retires from Santa Clara DA office to lead Operation Shamrock as nonprofit 23 | House Committee on Financial Services hears about Pig Butchering and crypto scams 26 | OFAC sanctions Cambodian tycoon and businesses linked to Pig Butchering scams 29 | The future of Operation Shamrock and combatting Pig Butchering  Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: Operation Shamrock: Educate. Seize. Disrupt Website:REACT Taskforce: Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Blog: Announcing Chainalysis’ 2024 U.S. Public Sector Customer Awards Program Announcement:  ACAMS: AFC Professional of the Year (2024): Erin West Video: U.S. House Committee on Financial Services:Protecting Americans’ Savings: Examining the Economics of the Multi-Billion Dollar Romance Confidence Scam Industry. Press Release: Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Tycoon and Businesses Linked to Human Trafficking and Forced Labor in Furtherance of Cyber and Virtual Currency Scams Blog: 2024 Crypto Crime Mid-year Update Part 2: China-based CSAM and Cybercrime Networks On The Rise, Pig Butchering Scams Remain Lucrative Podcast: Episode 45: How Law Enforcement is Combating Pig Butchering Crypto Scams (with Erin West and Alona Katz) YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Erin West (Deputy District Attorney, Santa Clara County, Office of the District Attorney) 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. 

When we think about the crypto company that has cracked the real world adoption problem and given access to people internationally who want access to the US dollar and foreign currency, we have to describe Tether as being that company. In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) talks with the CEO of Tether and CTO of Bitfinex, Paolo Ardoino about what the future of decentralization looks like for finance, communication and the exchange of value.  Paolo shares his journey and the evolution of blockchain and stablecoins, addressing criticisms and highlighting Tether's robust financial position and attestation of reserves. He also outlines plans for decentralized communication, tokenization of financial assets as ecosystems amidst a burgeoning landscape. The duo highlights Tether's collaboration with law enforcement and Chainalysis and the potential implications of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on privacy and banking. Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Paolo Ardoino's journey from coding to leading Tether 4 | Tether's Impact on global cryptocurrency market and real world adoption 8 | From CTO to CEO: Paolo shares how embracing resilience and independence led to success 12 | Holepunch: Revolutionizing communication with peer-to-peer technology 17 | Tether's financial resilience amidst scrutiny and market challenges 26 | Tether's collaboration with law enforcement and importance of blockchain transparency 32 | Alloy, Dirham backed stablecoin and Tether's strategy for tokenizing global financial assets 35 | The future of blockchains, CBDCs and why Telegram’s TON Network is so interesting Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: Tether: Technology to empower individuals, communities and nations to become self-sustainable, independent and free Website: Holepunch: The peer-to-peer company News:  Tether Assists U.S. Department of Justice in Seizing Over $6 Million in Alleged Proceeds Linked to Crypto-Confidence Scheme News: Tether Aids Dutch Authorities, U.S. Secret Service in Takedown of Major Crypto Money Laundering Operations Announcements: Tether to Develop UAE Dirham-Pegged Stablecoin Report: Tether Attestation and Transparency Reports Blog: Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria Takes #2 Spot in Global Adoption, South Africa Grows Crypto-TradFi Nexus Blog: OFAC Designates Russia-Based Cybercrime Syndicate, Evil Corp, in Joint Effort with UK’s FCDO and Australia’s DFAT YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Paolo Ardoino (CEO, Tether and CTO, Bitfinex) 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. 

If you are an active listener of this podcast, guests keep coming to this word decentralization.  But the definition of decentralization is quite vague at the moment, with some companies using this term to avoid regulatory compliance oversight and others wanting to create a legal framework that  allows for token issuance,  smart contract enabled governance and prescribing token holder rights. In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) tries to get more clarity on what decentralization really means to regulators, as he speaks to Dmitry Fedotov, who is Head of DLT Foundations Oversight at ADGM, the Abu Dhabi regulators who created the world’s first framework for blockchain foundations, DAOs and web3 entities. His journey as an entrepreneur served him well as he transitioned to the regulators, even his first days working for the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), when the FTX collapsed and he had to provide a better understanding of the events to both the public and private sector. Dmitry and Ian talk about what decentralization really means and how the ADGM created the  world’s first purpose-built framework for blockchain foundations,DAOs and web3 entities, offering regulatory clarity and legal frameworks that are attracting global entities and fostering innovation in the blockchain space.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Dmitry’s early days of AI, decentralized system and buying Bitcoin in 2014 6 | From Bitcoin enthusiast and entrepreneur to Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA)  8 | Introducing the world's first purpose built framework for blockchain foundations, DAOs and web3 entities 13 | Blockchain Foundation’s journey to becoming fully decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) 16 | Progressive decentralization in blockchain and the regulatory challenges that ensue 19 | DAOs: To regulate or not to regulate that is the question  22 | What are the limitations of the EU MiCA regulations for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) 26 | Why Hacken and other DLT focused companies are eyeing ADGM as their new headquarters  Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: ADGM: The Financial Centre of Abu Dhabi Framework:  World’s First Framework for Blockchain Foundations, DAOs, and Web3 Entities Regulation: ADGM: Distributed Ledger Technology Foundations Regulations Guidance: ADGM: Guidance on Permitted Activities for DLT Foundations Article: Cointelegraph: Tether plans to launch dirham stablecoin with UAE partners Announcement: ADGM, Hacken partner to set new benchmarks for blockchain security and compliance Blog: Middle East & North Africa: Regulatory Momentum and DeFi Fuel Adoption Blog: OFAC Designates Russian Exchange Cryptex and Fraud Shop Facilitator UAPS, FinCEN names PM2BTC YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Dmitry Fedotov (Head of DLT Foundations Oversight, ADGM) 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.  

Russia has become an international force using cryptocurrency for sanctions evasion, ransomware attacks and most recently malign interference in the US elections. Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) speaks with colleagues,  Valerie Kennedy (Director of Intelligence Solutions, International) and Andrew Fierman (Head of National Security Intelligence) on the heels of Russia enacting significant legislation changes including legalizing cryptocurrency mining and permitting the use of crypto for international payments. The trio explore Russia’s utilization of sanctioned crypto platforms like Garantex, the rising use of Telegram for illicit activities and the global implications of their election interference and disruptive tactics across the USA, Europe and beyond. They highlight that Russia’s affiliated media firms were funneling millions to US-based influencers to spread propaganda, the use of bot networks and the troubling rise of online platforms selling compromised social media accounts. This is a must listen, as Russia has become the international focus when it comes to geopolitical hotspots.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Valerie Kennedy’s cyber background and transition into working at a crypto exchange 4 | Is Russia leading the crypto industry in sanctions evasion, elections interference and ransomware attacks?  6 | Understanding Russia’s secondary sanctions dilemma  10 | Russian sanctions evasion using crypto and traditional fiat  14 | Russian media companies bankrolling American influencers to create Pro-Russia propaganda  20 | The effectiveness of Sanctions against illicit Russian actors in the crypto industry 23 | Russia’s attempt to influence other countries and using spies and crypto to do so 26 | The significant of Telegram Founder getting arrested and the controversial use of the messaging platform 28 | Why are manufacturers of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) being sanctioned? 32 | How sanctioned Russian exchange, Garantex is still thriving using stablecoins 35 | Key takeaways for compliance officers navigating Russian connected typologies   Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: Chainalysis: The Blockchain Data Platform Press Release: Operation Final Exchange: German Federal Criminal Police Office shut down almost 50 crypto  money laundering platforms Report: The Chainalysis Malign Interference and Crypto Report Blog: Russia’s Cryptocurrency Pivot: Legislated Sanctions Evasion Blog: OFAC Sanctions Russian Drone Developer KB Vostok Linked to Ukraine Invasion Blog: International Agencies Sanction Russian National Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, Leader of Cybercrime Group LockBit, for Developing and Distributing Ransomware Blog: OFAC Sanctions Hydra Following Law Enforcement Shutdown of the Darknet Market, As Well As Russian Exchange Garantex News: The Washington Post: Inside Tenet Media, the pro-Trump ‘supergroup’ allegedly funded by Russia YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews *Host* (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Valerie Kennedy (Director of Intelligence Solutions, International, 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. 

Why build another DeFi product or platform when there are already so many? Well that is both a good question and an unfortunate problem highlighted by  Ian Andrews (CMO, Chainalysis) in today’s episode as he speaks to the CEO of Tea-Fi, Matan Doyich.  Matan and his team are creating a one-stop shop for the wide variety of DeFi platforms in order to have the ability to conduct swaps, provide lending, execute decentralized trades and all the other core fundamental products of DeFi, all in one place. Matan details Tea-Fi’s features, including its privacy-focused solutions using ZK technology and the ambitious goal of integrating lending, swaps, and synthetic assets with upcoming support for cross-chain transactions and a debit card. He provides his insights on International regulatory scrutiny towards privacy protocols like Tornado Cash and explains why Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) could be the future of adding privacy to existing crypto solutions.  Minute-by-minute episode breakdown 2 | Simplifying DeFi: How Tea-Fi plans to turn a complex ecosystem into one user-friendly platform  4 | Matan’s crypto journey from algorithmic trading to creating a crypto hedge fund   8 | Balancing privacy and regulation in decentralized finance (DeFi) 12 | Understanding the focus by regulators on Tornado Cash and Telegram as money laundering conduits 17 | Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) could be the future of adding privacy to existing crypto solutions 20 | Unveiling the Tea-Fi ecosystem including DEXs, swap protocols and landing platforms 24 | How Tea-Fi will be able to offer uncollateralized crypto loans via their network reward program 26 | What does Tea-Fi excited about for the end of 2024 Related resources Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key. Website: Tea-Fi: The One-Stop Shop For DeFi Whitepaper: Tea-Fi Whitepaper: Private Decentralized Finance Roadmap: Tea-Fi Roadmap - 2024 to 2025 Blog: 2022 Biggest Year Ever For Crypto Hacking with $3.8 Billion Stolen, Primarily from DeFi Protocols and by North Korea-linked Attackers Article: Tea-Fi: One-Stop Shop for DeFI Report: The 2024 Global Adoption Index: Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) Region Leads the World in Terms of Global Cryptocurrency Adoption YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain Speakers on today’s episode Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis)  Matan Doyich (CEO, Tea-Fi) 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.