Blockchain Forensics - Unmasking Anonymity in Dark Web Transactions

Jelena  Gjorgjev; M.F. Fajar  Ramadhan; Sonny  Dhamayana

doi:10.6000/1929-4409.2025.14.07

Authors

Jelena Gjorgjev Brainster Next College, Skopje, North Macedonia
M.F. Fajar Ramadhan University of Gadjah Mada Math and Science Faculty Electronic and Computer Science Department Yogyakarta, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3953-6579
Sonny Dhamayana Alternative Control Labs FZC, Dubai, UAE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2025.14.07

Keywords:

Blockchain forensics, cryptocurrency tracing, dark web, money laundering, cybercrime

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of blockchain forensic techniques on combating cybercrime in the dark web. Although cryptocurrencies were originally celebrated for their decentralized and anonymous characteristics, advancements in blockchain analytics have allowed law enforcement agencies to track unlawful transactions with greater precision. This paper investigates forensic techniques including clustering, heuristic analysis, and address tagging to identify offenders involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and ransomware transactions. This paper examines real-world case studies, including as the dismantling of Silk Road and Chainalysis's involvement in tracing illicit wallets, to illustrate the dynamic adversarial relationship between cybercriminals and law enforcement agencies. It also addresses the legal and ethical dilemmas associated with blockchain surveillance. The findings indicate that although blockchain forensics has markedly advanced cybercrime investigations, the emergence of privacy-enhancing technologies presents new challenges necessitating policy adjustments.

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