Cryptocurrency Forensics involves tracing, analyzing, and investigating blockchain transactions to uncover illicit activities, recover stolen assets, and track threat actors in crypto-related crimes.
1. Preserve and Secure Evidence
- Capture a full disk image or memory dump from suspect devices.
- Secure wallet files, private keys, and transaction logs.
- Tools: FTK Imager (Download)
2. Extract Blockchain Data
- Collect blockchain records, wallet addresses, and transaction hashes.
- Tools: Blockchair (Download), Bitcoin Core (Download)
3. Analyze Transactions
- Trace fund flows, identify addresses, and link transactions to real-world entities.
- Tools: Chainalysis Reactor (Download), CipherTrace (Download)
4. Recover Lost or Deleted Wallets
- Recover lost wallet files, private keys, and seed phrases.
- Tools: PyWallet (Download), Wallet Recovery Services (Download)
5. Authenticate and Verify Transactions
- Verify the legitimacy and integrity of transactions.
- Check for signs of address reuse, mixing, or tumbling.
- Tools: Elliptic (Download), Maltego (Download)
6. Document and Report
- Record wallet addresses, timestamps, transaction hashes, and fund movements.
- Provide visual transaction flowcharts and evidence for legal proceedings.
Open-Source Tools:
- Blockchair: Search and analyze blockchain transactions. Download
- PyWallet: Recover lost wallet keys and addresses. Download
Commercial Tools:
- Chainalysis Reactor: Visualize and investigate crypto transactions. Download
- CipherTrace: Trace cryptocurrency payments and identify suspicious activity. Download
- Elliptic: Blockchain analytics for financial crime detection. Download
- Maltego: Map and investigate blockchain connections. Download
- Wallet Recovery Services: Recover lost or forgotten wallet passwords. Download