Violet Vallaya
In a recent collaboration, researchers from blockchain forensic firm Elliptic, IBM Watson, and MIT have achieved remarkable strides in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to pinpoint money laundering activities on the Bitcoin blockchain.
The report published Wednesday by Elliptic, titled “Enhancing Blockchain Analytics Through AI,” shows the efficacy of deep learning models in detecting cryptocurrency crimes.
The report underscores the important role of deep learning models in identifying money laundering patterns and pinpointing crypto wallets entangled in illicit transactions. Unlike conventional financial systems where transactional data is often fragmented, blockchain’s transparency facilitates the application of these methodologies.
The accessibility of transactional data and information on transacting entities empowers machine learning models to scrutinize multi-hop laundering processes, transcending specific on-chain behaviors of nefarious actors.
Researchers meticulously examined patterns of Bitcoin transactions tracing back from malevolent entities to cryptocurrency exchanges. Through analysis of past transactions linked to known malicious actors, the team trained the AI to recognize specific patterns indicative of money laundering. The study leveraged cutting-edge AI tools to analyze an extensive dataset comprising over 200 million transactions.
The implications of crypto money laundering reverberate across the industry, posing substantial risks. A recent U.K. government report identified crypto firms, alongside retail banking, wholesale banking, and wealth management, as sectors particularly vulnerable to exploitation for money laundering between 2022 and 2023.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK has been proactively ensuring that crypto entities register and adhere to anti-money laundering regulations since 2020. Despite concerted efforts to combat crypto-related crimes, the risk persists.
Governments are increasingly underscoring the imperative of adhering to anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. Notably, the former CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, was recently sentenced to four months in federal prison for the exchange’s money laundering infractions.
The collaborative efforts of Elliptic, IBM Watson, and MIT signify a milestone in the ongoing battle against cryptocurrency-related crimes. The partnership harnessed the power of artificial intelligence and deep learning to develop new tools. These tools have the potential to significantly strengthen the security of blockchain systems and prevent them from being exploited for financial crimes.
