From opacity to integrity: rethinking fraud in the digital asset era

In crypto markets, fraud remains a persistent paradox. Blockchains are inherently immutable and transparent, yet scams, wash trades, money-laundering and market manipulation proliferate. The reason is simple: pseudonymity, cross-chain complexity, mixers and regulatory gaps. Meanwhile, central banks around the world are designing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) with intrinsic

traceability and programmable features. Therefore, if designed correctly, the tools of blockchain forensics and CBDC transparency could together usher-in a new paradigm of financial integrity.

How thieves were thwarted in Brazil and the police recovered stollen crypto

Source: Chainalysis

Blockchain forensics firms such as Chainalysis and TRM Labs have become indispensable in de-coding illicit flows. Their platforms analyse public ledgers, cluster wallets, trace money through mixing services and attribute illicit activity to known entities. The 2025 Chainalysis Crypto Crime Report underscores how transparency i…