Crypto Asset Recovery

We have extensive experience in helping victims of cryptocurrency theft. Asset Recovery Intelligence and Analysis Services provides a comprehensive suite of asset recovery services, leveraging expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional cases. Each case is led by a Cryptocurrency Tracing Certified Examiner (CTCE™️) and a Certified Compliance Professional in Cryptocurrency Financial Crimes (CCPC™️), ensuring a high standard of proficiency. Our team is well-equipped to tackle fraud cases, particularly those involving exchanges and crypto wallets in theft incidents.

Clients May Seek Our Asset Recovery Services For:

• Investment scams
• Sharing private keys or seed phrases
• Malicious smart contracts
• Bitcoin-stealing malware
• Fake crypto wallets
• Theft by hacking
• Crypto phishing
• SIM swapping
• Pump and dump schemes
• DeFi platform exploits
• Ransomware attacks
• Exit scams by fraudulent exchanges
• Ponzi schemes
• Identity theft related to crypto accounts
• Social engineering attacks

Background

Crypto assets are recognised as property under UK law and regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. This Act, receiving Royal Assent on 29 June 2023, integrates crypto assets into the financial regulatory framework, classifying them as investments and subjecting them to regulated activities and financial promotions orders. Additionally, the Property Bill, enacted in September 2024, reinforces the legal status of digital assets, providing clear guidance for ownership and treatment.

Regulatory Framework

• Financial Services and Markets Act 2023: Defines crypto assets as investments requiring FCA authorisation for regulated activities. Establishes a regulatory regime for Digital Settlement Assets (DSAs), addressing volatility risks.
• Property Bill (Digital Assets) 2024: Aligns digital assets with traditional property laws, ensuring comprehensive legal protections for owners.

Engaging a UK-based firm allows you to leverage these robust frameworks to secure your rights, including eligibility to recover legal fees incurred due to fraudulent activities involving your crypto assets.

Asset Recovery Challenges

When the identity of potential defendants is unknown, UK “persons unknown” jurisdiction allows claimants to seek interim relief against unknown wallet holders. Claimants can obtain court orders facilitating the discovery of a fraudster’s identity, employing tools like Norwich Pharmacal Orders (NPOs) and Bankers Trust Orders (BTOs) to compel exchanges to disclose relevant information. A civil procedure gateway under CPR PD 6B Para 3.1(25) streamlines information orders against parties outside the jurisdiction.

Our focus is on tracing, identifying, and seizing misappropriated assets efficiently, rather than prosecuting fraudsters across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring cost-effective recovery.

Our Clients

We represent individual investors and corporate entities, focusing on cases with financial losses of £20,000 or more. Our services are offered via a flat fee model that includes both forensic and legal assistance. A modest success fee applies only to recovered funds, ensuring transparency and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

While cryptocurrencies are decentralised, most digital assets are traceable. Transactions are recorded on the blockchain, creating a transparent ledger. Our forensic team tracks cryptocurrency movements, identifies flows to exchanges, flags suspicious activity, and pinpoints potential wallet owners. The legal team promptly submits asset-freezing requests to exchanges, collaborating with law enforcement to facilitate recovery.

Crypto Wallets – Our Process

1 – Letter Before Action (Fraud Cases)

We issue a Letter Before Action to demand the return of misappropriated assets. If parties comply, a discharge agreement is drafted to formalise repayment, preventing unnecessary litigation and facilitating a mutually acceptable resolution.

2 – Forensic Analysis

A comprehensive forensic analysis traces, locates, and flags stolen assets. Our crypto tracing reports examine behavioural patterns, origins and status of assets, identify parties involved, and analyse indicators of fraud, dark market interactions, and money laundering, providing actionable intelligence.

Priority is given to tracing both the individual responsible and the exchange facilitating the conversion or storage of stolen cryptocurrency.

3 – Legal Action

After identifying the exchange and perpetrator, we collaborate with law enforcement to issue subpoenas for KYC documents, enabling asset freezing and seizure, even if funds have been converted to fiat and moved internationally. We handle formal legal requests across exchanges, wallets, hosting services, and banks, avoiding costly multiple-jurisdiction litigation.

Expert Guidance

Our consultants present complex cryptocurrency findings in a clear, accessible manner. Forensic reports are both impactful and understandable for technical and non-technical audiences.

Data Protection

Handling highly sensitive information necessitates robust data security measures. We maximise data value, comply with global privacy requirements, and proactively mitigate risks to protect clients’ interests.

We Take Care

We keep clients informed at every step, removing jargon and making the asset recovery process as stress-free as possible. Asset Recovery Intelligence and Analysis Services ensures a smooth, transparent, and professional journey to recover your cryptocurrency assets.