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  • How to start career in blockchain forensics and scams?

    Hayley Woodhouse

    Hayley Woodhouse

    @ouyKkIN
    Updated: Aug 4, 2025
    Views: 1.1K

    Hi everyone,

    I have a background in cybersecurity, with a primary focus on penetration testing, and I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree with a concentration in blockchain security.

    I am also working with blockchain company as content writer. I want to switch to blockchain investigations, specifically uncovering crypto fraud, tracking scam tokens, and tracing suspicious wallet activity.

    Does anyone has made this switch from blockchain writing or adjacent tech roles into direct investigative work in the blockchain or crypto space. What did your path look like? Are there industry-recognized certifications that really make a difference, or is practical experience and a public portfolio more important? How critical is networking for breaking in?

    Any advice, resources, or personal stories would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your insights!

    4
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  • Andria Shines

    @ChainSage • 8mos

    Hi @Hayley, transitioning into blockchain forensics with your cybersecurity background and cryptography expertise offers an exciting career with many opportunities. Blockchain forensics professionals analyze transactions, detect fraud, and uncover illicit activity within decentralized networks.

    To build expertise, start by mastering transaction tracing. Understand blockchain transaction structures and how data is stored on-chain. Focus on tracing flows, identifying mixers, and navigating multi-chain environments. Study both UTXO (Bitcoin) and account-based models (Ethereum) to handle diverse cases effectively.

    Learn de-anonymization techniques to connect blockchain addresses to real-world identities. Address clustering, change output detection, and behavioral analysis play critical roles in this process. Review case studies of successful investigations for actionable insights.

    Explore common attack vectors like flash loan exploits, phishing, and rug pulls. Analyze real-world incidents to recognize vulnerabilities exploited in fraud and money laundering schemes. Combine this knowledge with proficiency in tools like Chainalysis Reactor, GraphSense, or Python libraries such as Web3.py and PyCrypto for custom scripts and in-depth analysis.

    Develop a solid understanding of global AML and CTF regulations. Familiarity with FATF guidelines and blockchain-specific compliance challenges enhances your ability to work effectively with law enforcement and regulators.

    Leverage your cryptography background to study vulnerabilities in wallet encryption, consensus mechanisms, and key recovery techniques. Apply this knowledge to trace and mitigate sophisticated exploits.

    Contribute to open-source forensics projects, participate in blockchain-focused CTFs, and engage with communities like EthSecurity. These actions build your credibility and open doors to specialized roles in blockchain forensics.

  • Hayley Woodhouse

    @ouyKkIN • 8mos

    Hi, that is amazing advice , thanks so much. Would you say that a KYC Analyst role is a good place to start and are there any specific certifications or courses that you would recommend? Thanks very much Hayley

  • Andria Shines

    @ChainSage • 8mos

    To pursue a career as a KYC Analyst in the blockchain industry, specific certifications and courses can help you develop the required skills. These include training in anti-money laundering (AML), blockchain compliance, and the use of blockchain analytics tools. Below is a clear and concise list of recommended programs: (1) AML and Compliance Certifications Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) Organization: ACAMS Focus: Global AML standards, cryptocurrency compliance. Cost: ~$1,500 Certified Cryptocurrency Investigator (CCI) (2) Organization: Blockchain Intelligence Group Focus: Blockchain transaction analysis and risk detection. Cost: ~$1,500 ICA Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering (3) Organization: International Compliance Association (ICA) Focus: AML procedures and crypto integration. Cost: ~$1,000–$1,500

    (4) Blockchain-Specific Training Certified Blockchain Professional (CBP) Organization: Blockchain Council Focus: Blockchain basics, compliance, security. Cost: ~$150–$300 (5) Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist (3CS) Organization: CipherTrace Focus: Cryptocurrency risk management and compliance. Cost: ~$2,000 (6) Blockchain Basics Organization: University of Nicosia Focus: Introduction to blockchain technology. Cost: Free (7) Blockchain Analytics Tools Chainalysis Reactor Certification Organization: Chainalysis Focus: Blockchain transaction tracing and analysis. Cost: Varies (8) Elliptic Cryptocurrency Compliance Training Organization: Elliptic Focus: Identifying and mitigating cryptocurrency risks. Cost: Free or low-cost (9) TRM Labs Training Organization: TRM Labs Focus: Blockchain transaction monitoring. Cost: Varies

    Suggested Steps: Start with a foundational AML certification like CAMS or ICA AML Certificate. Learn blockchain basics with free or affordable courses like those from the University of Nicosia. Gain practical skills with blockchain analytics tools like Chainalysis Reactor or TRM Labs.

  • CryptoSagePriya

    @CryptoSagePriya • 6mos

    Good pointers in this discussion thread. Thanks all for these resource and experience sharing

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