Public Key

Crypto and Crime: Inside the FBI’s Virtual Assets Unit


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The FBI created the Virtual Assets Unit to spearhead the agency’s efforts alongside a network of distributed experts to combat the misuse of digital currencies in criminal activity.


In this episode, Gurvais Grigg (former Chief Technology Officer, Global Public Sector, Chainalysis) gained insights from Patrick Wyman (Unit Chief - Virtual Assets Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)) into the intricacies of the FBI's approach to managing and monitoring virtual assets.

Patrick Wyman shares insights from his extensive career focused on white-collar crimes and articulates the critical importance of fostering collaboration among personnel and divisions, highlighting the unit's journey from a segmented array of expertise to a cohesive force capable of tackling financial crimes across all investigative areas.


This episode dissects the FBI's innovative strategies to maintain efficiency and agility amidst the rapidly evolving virtual asset landscape, but also highlights the challenges the public sector has in staying ahead of the crypto criminals. 

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

2 | Patrick's Journey at the FBI and Leading the Virtual Assets Unit 

5 | Exploring FBI's Approach to Virtual Assets and White Collar Crime

8 | FBI's Virtual Assets Unit Unifies Expertise Across Divisions

12 | Enhancing Crypto Literacy and Leadership Engagement in the FBI

15 | Emerging Threat Typologies in Crypto Crime 

19 | Managing Expertise and Resources in a Dynamic Environment

24 | Seizing Crypto Assets to Disrupt International Criminal Activities

29 | Challenges and Future of Cryptocurrency in Law Enforcement

33 | Building Sustainable Programs Through Strategic Planning and Growth


Related resources

Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.

  • Website: Mission First: To protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the U.S.
  • Press Release: ABA Foundation and FBI Release New Infographic to Help Americans Spot and Avoid Deepfake Scams
  • Blog: How Chainalysis Helped the FBI Track Down and Freeze Millions in the Caesars Casino Ransomware Attack
  • Article: United States Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against $225 Million in Funds Involved in Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud Money Laundering
  • Blog:  The 2025 Geography of Crypto Report (Reserve Your Copy Now!)
  • Blog: DPRK IT Workers: Inside North Korea’s Crypto Laundering Network
  • Blog: Customer Spotlights: Hear from Zodia Custody, Grant Thornton and many more
  • YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
  • Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
  • Speakers on today’s episode
    • Gurvais Grigg (former Chief Technology Officer, Global Public Sector, Chainalysis)
    • Patrick Wyman (Unit Chief - Virtual Assets Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI))
    • This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.

      Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.

      Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. 

      Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Chainalysis. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Chainalysis employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. 

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