UAE, EU Global Facility conclude cryptocurrency investigations training course
Abu Dhabi, 29 July 2022 – The UAE authorities and the EU Global Facility on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (EU GF-AML/CFT) on Friday concluded a weeklong training workshop on “Cryptocurrency investigations”.
Targeted at 50 individuals from the UAE’s Financial Intelligence Unit, Law Enforcement agencies, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Interior and State Security, the advanced course aimed to promote cooperation and support cross functional expertise between these national competent authorities.
“New technologies, products, and related services have the potential to spur financial innovation and efficiency and improve financial inclusion, but they also create new opportunities for criminals and terrorists to launder their proceeds or finance their illicit activities,” explained EU GF Key Expert on Regulation/FIU Arnaud Stien, adding “virtual assets represent an attractive economic opportunity for jurisdictions, but also bring along a number of challenges and risks that must be understood and managed for their safe integration within a country’s economy.”
Over the course of four days, sessions covered a wide range of topics, namely “Introduction to cryptocurrencies”, “Blockchain and Mining”, “the Darknet”, “Tracing Bitcoins”, “Seizure and Confiscation”, “Non Fungible Tokens” and “Policy Requirements”, among others.
The training sought to enhance the skills and tools of relevant authorities in investigating virtual assets related concerns, notably by understanding the practical expectations to conduct such types of investigations.
The training is part of a series of technical assistance activities delivered by the EU Global Facility to the UAE aimed at improving the country’s AML/CFT frameworks. Started in April 2021, activities have focused on parallel investigations, the use of informants, turning intelligence into evidence, financial supervision, the judiciary and FIU core functions.
Learn more about our work with the UAE HERE
This project is funded by the European Union.