Cyber experts get into cryptocurrency investigation

• SPRINGFIELD - NGA looks for computer vision provider

• WASHINGTON - Peggy Lyons starts afresh at OSINT Foundation

• PARIS/DUBAI - French cyber sector united for GISEC

• IDAHO FALLS - Idaho National Laboratory's anti-cryptojacking algorithm still for sale

• TEL AVIV - Rayzone poaches NSO's head of sales for Africa

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Blockchain intelligence experts much sought after by US financial intelligence services 

In the United States, public bodies fighting cyber crime and financial fraud are going all out to increase their blockchain investigation capacities, bringing in local contractors to boost their firepower.

Scorechain investigates cryptoassets seized by France 

Luxembourg-based crypto investigations company Scorechain is helping the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, which keeps cryptoassets snatched by Agrasc - the French state agency in charge of seized and confiscated assets - until they are resold.

Buoyed by Russian sanctions, Chainalysis corners European crypto probe market 

With its Reactor software, the New York-based company which has helped US authorities with several high-profile investigations, is the top supplier to European cybercrime agencies. Its competitors on the continent have tended to shy away from tender calls deemed not profitable enough.

City crypto traders skeptical about Kazakh opportunities 

Keen to attract foreign investors to Kazakhstan, the country's government must get around the problems it faces in its energy infrastructure which are having an impact on investments in cryptocurrency mining.

British FCA expands toolkit ahead of possible boost of cryptocurrency oversight powers 

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority wants to see its regulatory powers over the crypto asset sector strengthened and is already working to develop its technical capabilities in the area, starting with a blockchain analytics platform.

Luxembourg-based Scorechain raises Swiss capital to develop cryptocurrency compliance tools 

Founded by three French tech experts, based in Luxembourg, and financed by Swiss and German investors, Scorechain sells software that detects suspect transactions on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Cognyte takes over Verint's cryptocurrency investigation business 

Verint spin-off Cognyte is increasingly active in the cryptocurrency field, which is currently expanding fast as cryptocurrencies are seen as posing a growing number of key national security questions.

Under pressure from DoJ, cryptocurrency sector beefs up financial intelligence 

In response to increased scrutiny by US authorities, cryptocurrency platforms and suppliers are strengthening their internal teams, with outside help from old and new compliance experts.

US cyber forensics firm Grayshift plants flag in UK 

The US iPhone decryption company Grayshift has opened an office in London as part of a rapid expansion following a funding round in October 2020.

Ouke Cloud Chain to be Public Security's new crypto-investigator 

Blockchain company Ouke Cloud Chain is setting up a research centre in Nanjing with the Ministry of Public Security (Gonganbu) following an earlier partnership on anti-money laundering efforts.

Cyber false flag provider NetAbstraction aims to challenge Ntrepid's market domination 

US company NetAbstraction, which was founded by former NSA executive Barbara Hunt, aims to grab a share of the market for the creation of false IT trails for intelligence services carrying out cyber investigations. This market has been dominated until now by Ntrepid, a spin-off from cyber intelligence company Abraxas Corp.

NGA hires Pentagon R&D expert George Lukes as consultant 

George Lukes, who spent more than 40 years in various defence agencies, founded his own consulting outfit in March.

BlockTrace follows Chainalysis into crypto-currency investigation 

The timely launch of BlockTrace, a startup founded by a former Chainalysis Head of Training, comes as the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and other police agencies are looking for solutions in this area.

Chainalysis analyses bitcoin use for FBI 

Virtual money used to be considered untraceable but new technology can analyse its movement.

Mauritius wants to attract more cryptocurrency operators 

Crypto asset specialist Apollo Fintech opened up in Mauritius at the end of January. The island's Economic Development Board has been trying to attract cryptocurrency companies since 2017.