Chainalysis collaborates with Binance and Coinbase to take action against child sexual exploitation networks

According to CoinDesk, Chainalysis organized a multi-day operation called "Operation Lighthouse," utilizing blockchain intelligence to investigate networks disseminating child sexual abuse materials. The operation is headquartered at the National Cyber Crime Forensics and Training Alliance in New York and collaborates with global law enforcement agencies such as Europol, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the UK's National Crime Agency.

The operation investigated over 29,000 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers, identified more than 100 related forums and hubs, and generated over 14,000 investigative leads, with suspects located in 125 countries, some of whom are registered sex offenders. Several cryptocurrency companies participated, including payment company Block and nonprofit organizations like the Internet Observation Foundation.

Gavin Sather, Senior Project Manager for Anti-Child Exploitation at Binance, stated that the transparency of blockchain makes it difficult for criminals to hide their crimes for long periods.