Cybercriminals Reportedly Created Blockchain Analytics Tool

Cybercriminals have developed a blockchain analytics tool on the darknet that could help a gang launder illegally obtained bitcoin, and they are actively marketing it, according to the cryptocurrency analytics firm Elliptic. “A blockchain analytics tool has been launched on the dark web, allowing bitcoin addresses to be checked for links to criminal activity. Known as Antinalysis, it allows crypto launderers to test whether their funds will be identified as proceeds of crime by regulated exchanges,” says Tom Robinson, co-founder and chief scientist with Elliptic. Robinson says cybercriminals have co-opted a process used by cryptocurrency exchanges to check customer deposits for any links to illegal activity. “By tracing a transaction back through the blockchain, these tools can identify whether the funds originated from a wallet associated with ransomware or any other criminal activity,” he says. “The launderer therefore risks being identified as a criminal and being reported to law enforcement whenever they send funds to a business using such a tool.”