UNCCT Regional Conference on Financial Investigations related to Crypto-Crimes

The Global Coordinated Programme on Detecting, Preventing and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT Programme) of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) hosted a regional conference on “Virtual Assets and Their Perspectives: Risks-Assessment and Experience in Financial Investigations related to Crypto-Crimes” in Moscow, Russia from 8 to 10 September 2021. This conference was organized for nine countries – members of the EuroAsian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing Terrorism (EAG) – namely, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The 3-day conference was co-organized with EAG, the Moscow Lomonosov State University (MLSU) and the Russian Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring) as part of the MLSU project on deanonymizing cryptocurrency transactions on the blockchain to investigate crimes in crypto space. 

The objective of this event was to raise awareness of international efforts on countering the financing of terrorism analysis and financial intelligence exchange, including on cryptocurrency financial flows, in compliance with international standards on AML/CFT*. It also sought to facilitate regional and international cooperation to address ongoing and emerging risks and challenges related to crypto-crimes and terrorism financing. 

Hosted in a hybrid format (in-person and online), the conference was attended by over 30 participants and seven expert presenters with a wide range of backgrounds including leading academics, officials and private sector professionals on crypto regulation as well as influential companies on global crypto regulations, forensics and investigations. 

The presentations focused on latest developments related to cryptocurrencies, supra-national risk assessments, case study exploration of cryptocurrency fundraising utilized for terrorism, anonymity characteristics, as well as best practices of national, regional and international cooperation. 

Representatives from the nine EAG countries shared recent national developments related to cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. They also outlined legal and operational measures to regulate the crypto space. 

As a result of the workshop, the programme will contribute to developing an Action Plan with Tajikistan and initiate parliamentary engagement with India, fostering its partnership with EAG Member States. Going forward, the Programme will also continue to collaborate with regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia and all relevant stakeholders in the field of counter-terrorism financing as well as the Moscow Lomonosov State University (MLSU) and the Rosfinmonitoring.

*Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism