CRYPTOCURRENCIES AS A SOCIAL-ECONOMIC PHENOMENON AND THE OBJECT OF FORENSIC ANALYSIS

This article examines cryptocurrency as a new social phenomenon in economic and legal life in the modern world. In the most general form, the basis of blockchain technology and the principles of functioning of cryptocurrencies built on the basis of blockchain are given. The creation by states of national cryptocurrencies based on blockchain technology is considered as the most likely option for the development of cryptocurrency. One of the first states in the world that has already developed a project for a national cryptocurrency is the PRC, so the article pays a lot of attention to the “digital yuan” project. Since it is obvious that the “digital yuan” will be the first digital national currency, the author analyzes the possible consequences of the introduction of the “digital yuan” for the national security of the Russian Federation. The author notes that the international body that pays special attention to the regulation of the circulation of cryptocurrencies is the FATF (Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering). The international body’s recommendations are definitive for all organizations and individuals that deal with cryptocurrency. The article notes that in March 2021, the group published recommendations for risk assessment of cryptocurrency participants, which include the mandatory use of software to analyse the risks associated with cryptocurrency transactions. Several cryptocurrency risk analysis software products are already available on the market in line with this requirement. The author analyzes the most developed of them in the context of their possible application for the purposes of forensic analysis by Russian law enforcement agencies and gives suggestions for their use.

cryptocurrency, blockchain, forensics, forensic analysis, bitcoin, digital ruble, digital yuan, law enforcement, darknet, “Transparent blockchain”

Butenko O. S. Cryptocurrencies as a social-economic phenomenon and the object of forensic analysis. Business. Education. Law, 2021, no. 4, pp. 217—222. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.25683/VOLBI.2021.57.412.