Chainalysis’s Operation Lighthouse brought together law enforcement and private-sector partners to disrupt crypto-enabled child abuse material networks.
Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis recently convened Operation Lighthouse, a multi-day operational sprint designed to convert existing child sexual abuse material (CSAM)-related crypto intelligence into actionable investigative leads.
Hosted at the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) in New York, the sprint brought together more than nine law enforcement agencies, more than 13 private-sector partners, and specialised non-profits to target CSAM consumers, vendors, marketplace operators, and administrators.
Participating agencies included Europol, the Australian Federal Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the UK’s National Crime Agency, alongside private-sector partners such as Binance, Coinbase, and Block, and the Internet Watch Foundation.
The sprint investigated 29,120 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers and targeted more than 100 distinct CSAM platforms, forums, and distribution networks across the surface and dark web. The overall effort generated 14,300 investigative leads across 11 cryptocurrency exchanges and payment services, surfaced more than 7,700 suspect accounts, including 16 registered sex offenders, and identified CSAM-linked suspects in 125 countries.
Tim Lucey, Director of Operations at the NCFTA, said: “Success depends on robust and cohesive public-private partnerships, and furthering these disruptive efforts lies at the heart of the NCFTA’s mission.”
Danny van Althuis, Team Leader at Europol, added: “Perpetrators exploit financial services, payment systems, social media and internet platforms to commit or facilitate these crimes. It is therefore essential that these sectors join forces to prevent and combat online child sexual abuse and to identify those who commit, enable or facilitate it.”
Learn more about Operation Lighthouse here.
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