AI – BlockDefenders

Emerging AI-driven cyber threats: How criminals attract victims online

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 Jorge Santos

The rise of generative AI has resulted in ground-breaking innovation in practically every field, including, sadly, cybercrime. Tools such as ChatGPT, FraudGPT, and WormGPT have reduced the barrier to launching complex social engineering assaults, allowing even “low-skilled” criminals to accurately simulate trust, authority, and professionalism. BlockDefenders has been actively monitoring how threat actors evolve. One of the most obvious trends in 2025 is that hackers will utilize AI to help them hack systems and manipulate people. This article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to entice and deceive…

AI Hype, DeepSeek, and the investor bubble: a modern Web3-style frenzy?

February 3, 2025March 9, 2025 Jorge Santos

This article reflects the author’s insights and is not a formal review. The artificial intelligence sector is experiencing a rapid surge in investment, much like past technological bubbles, such as Web3, the dot-com boom, and the cryptocurrency craze of 2017. While the term “bubble” is sometimes associated with market crashes, it does not inherently carry a negative connotation. Instead, it reflects a period of intense growth and speculation, where interest and capital rapidly flow into an emerging technology. History has shown that when excitement outpaces actual utility, market corrections are…

Enhancing Crypto Forensics: AI, Expertise, and Outsourcing

April 16, 2024January 8, 2025 Jorge Santos

Introduction to the Case Blockchain forensics have linked Roman Sterlingov as the operator of Bitcoin Fog, a service that mixes Bitcoin transactions to conceal their origins and destinations. These kinds of entities are usually used to ease money laundering activities. This article presents a snapshot of Sterlingov’s detention and the charges that led to his legal issues, illustrating the intricacies of digital currency operations and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. Understanding Bitcoin Fog Bitcoin Fog was a cryptocurrency mixing service that aimed to enhance anonymity for Bitcoin users. The service worked by pooling…

Introduction to Crypto Investigations and AI

March 3, 2024January 8, 2025 Jorge Santos

Cryptocurrencies have transformed the financial landscape, disrupting traditional banking systems. As their adoption grows, so do the challenges associated with them. This article explores how the intersection of crypto investigations and artificial intelligence (AI) is a major step against illicit activities. Understanding Cryptocurrency What Is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that leverage blockchain technology for pseudonymity, transparency, security, and decentralization. While not widely adopted for everyday transactions, they attract attention and investment. Fundamental concepts Crypto Investigations What Is a Crypto Investigation? Cryptocurrency investigation is about tracing digital asset movement and connecting…

The role of artificial intelligence in combating cryptocurrency scams

February 3, 2023January 8, 2025 Jorge Santos

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised many industries, and the world of cryptocurrency is no exception. With the rise of digital currencies comes an increase in scams and fraudulent activities, posing a threat to the security of crypto investors and delaying crypto mass adoption. We at VALEGA Chain Analytics use AI in several internal services, to validate and extract information from our data, but AI can be of great assistance in reducing the scam problem when applied to other areas and direct interaction with users. What is Artificial Intelligence AI is the simulation…

The challenge to stop crypto scams

May 31, 2022January 7, 2025 Jorge Santos

Being VALEGA Chain Analytics CTO I deal with a harsh reality: people fall for crypto scams and lose their money every day. Year after year the numbers just go up. From phishing to Ponzi schemes, from rug pulls to plain hardcore stealing, the raw volume is just scary and in a way amazing! Common sense tells us that the more the crypto world evolves, the fewer scams. Reality shows us the opposite and it’s surprising. Nowadays it is easy to find communities dedicated to finding and validating scams, there are analysis tools,…