29th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – The Geopolitical Impact of Crypto and Digital Currencies
Ms. Lilita Infante, addressed the growing misuse of cryptocurrencies by transnational criminal organizations, terrorist groups, and hostile states. Drawing on her experience leading major crypto investigations, including the 2022 takedown of the Hydra darknet marketplace, she explained how digital assets enable criminals to move funds quickly across borders, scale globally, and operate without traditional financial intermediaries. She noted that law enforcement agencies often lag behind the rapid evolution of crypto enabled crime, with many investigators unable to identify or properly investigate cryptocurrency use. As crypto expanded beyond the dark web into cartel and large scale criminal financing, expertise gaps became a major obstacle.
Ms. Infante’s central recommendation was practical: governments should mandate that all seized digital data devices, cloud storage, and servers be automatically scanned for cryptocurrency evidence, especially private keys. She emphasized that “data is money,” as major crypto seizures have been uncovered simply by identifying private keys hidden in digital files. By institutionalizing data scanning, clear custody procedures, and proper training, governments can significantly enhance their ability to disrupt illicit finance and keep pace with emerging technological threats.
