The educational site shares that the Secret Service aims to combat the illegal use of digital assets and offer a lot of public awareness information. For now, the tide seems to be turning on how the law enforcers discuss cryptos and treat cryptocurrency users as they should be treated.
In the most recent reports, the United States Secret Service has launched a crypto awareness hub consisting of a cheesy public service announcement video. The educational tool aims to fight the:
“illicit use of digital assets as well as provide public awareness information on digital asset security and how to ensure it remains secure.”
Here is the video:
“Secret Service: Safeguarding the next generation currency”, Source: U.S. Secret Service Youtube.
Jeremy Sheridan, U.S. Secret Service Office of Investigations Assistant Director, stated that the hub focuses on investigating all sorts of financial crimes. It strives to “identify, arrest, and prosecute those engaging in crimes involving digital assets.”
Nevertheless, it is important to note that the language and tone used about crypto are positive. This launch website now concedes that digital and cryptos continued to become highly popular types of payments, thus the need for the Secret Service to be at the top of its game.
The launch of the crypto awareness hub now comes about two years after the Secret Service launched the Finance-Related Cybercrime Task Force. The first iteration of crypto-related activities simply showed interest in how cryptos may be used to make illicit online transactions.
In what might be a small win for the crypto sector, this industry might eventually be shedding its reputation as being a major haven for cybercrime and illegal activity. Crypto used to be reserved for Silk Road criminals and many drug users.
Nonetheless, in 2022, the Secret Service believes that:
“Investments and transactions using cryptocurrencies and digital assets are not inherently criminal.”
Generally speaking, using cryptos on a transparent, backdating blockchain makes no sense for illegal financial activity as a result of how the blockchains can be easily tracked and monitored. The Netflix-worthy Bitfinex story that features unlikely criminals made that point quite clear:
It is considerably hard to launder any money using blockchain.
Eventually, in case people aim to get paid to do any bad things, it is still advisable to take the money in cash.
