Elliptic is the global leader in cryptoasset risk management, blockchain analytics, and financial crime compliance. Trusted by hundreds of tier-one financial institutions, cryptocurrency exchanges, and law enforcement and regulatory agencies worldwide, Elliptic delivers the foundational intelligence dataset and analytics platform needed to expose illicit activity, detect nation-state threats, and enable safe digital asset adoption.

Role Summary

As a Senior Cryptocurrency Intelligence Scientist (IC4), you will operate at the intersection of data science, forensic research, and on-chain threat characterization. You will become a primary authority on entity attribution, complex laundering patterns, and emerging criminal typologies—strengthening the intelligence dataset that directly powers Elliptic’s compliance products and guiding the team’s global collection strategy.

Key Responsibilities

On-Chain Attribution & Heuristics: Programmatically investigate complex illicit on-chain networks, develop behavioral heuristics, and build high-confidence attribution models for high-threat entities.
Threat Typology Research: Track, deconstruct, and document advanced laundering typologies spanning cross-chain bridges, decentralized mixers, nation-state activity, ransomware, scams, and sanctions evasion.
Cross-Functional Intelligence Impact: Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Professional Services teams to translate novel intelligence findings into production heuristics, product capabilities, and client value.
AI-Augmented Intelligence Workflows: Leverage AI tools and automated pipelines to accelerate transaction pattern discovery, entity clustering, data processing, and research output generation.
Public-Sector Collaboration: Author actionable intelligence briefs and assist law enforcement and regulatory partners in deciphering sophisticated crypto-enabled crimes.
Mentorship & Quality Standards: Coach and mentor junior intelligence researchers, upholding analytical rigor and best practices across the team.

Requirements & Qualifications

Must-Haves

Intelligence & Blockchain Forensic Expertise: Proven background investigating blockchain data, on-chain entity attribution, transaction tracing, and cryptocurrency threat analysis.
Threat Typology Depth: Deep familiarity with key crypto threat vectors: thefts, ransomware networks, terrorist financing, illicit OTC brokers, and state-sponsored cyber operations.
AI Tooling Fluency: Demonstrated ability to apply modern AI tools and automated approaches to accelerate data ingestion, heuristic development, and intelligence synthesis.
Analytical Ownership: High autonomy with the ability to lead complex investigative threads from raw blockchain events to executive-ready intelligence products.
Collaboration & Communication: Clear, persuasive communication skills with experience presenting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice-to-Haves

Direct experience working for or closely with law enforcement, regulatory agencies, or defense/intelligence communities.
Proficiency writing Python or SQL scripts for large-scale on-chain data processing and pattern analysis.
Recognized industry certifications or published research covering on-chain compliance and digital asset forensics.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Base Salary: $175,000 – $215,000 USD
Hybrid Flexibility: Washington, D.C. hybrid setup with the option to work from almost anywhere for up to 90 days per year.
Home Office Budget: $650 allowance to furnish your home workstation.
Learning & Development: $1,000 annual budget for courses, books, and certifications.
Generous Leave: 25 days of annual leave + 8 US public holidays, birthday leave, and 16 weeks fully paid parental leave.
Health & Retirement: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous company contributions + 401(k) company match.