The US Secret Service creates the Cryptocurrency Education page

Secret Service United States Announced that an awareness center will be launched CryptocurrenciesAn online educational platform designed to assist the agency in its efforts to combat the illegal use of virtual assets.

In a statement, the secret service said the new initiative seeks to “provide public awareness information on cryptocurrency security” and that the agency wants to “further expand its capabilities, cooperation and effectiveness in relation to all financial criminal investigations.”

The agency emphasized that “investments and transactions using cryptocurrencies and digital assets are not criminal in nature,” acknowledging that they offer “new opportunities for those who wish to commit fraud or cover up other illegal activities.”

In a statement, the secret service said “cryptocurrencies continue to be the most popular form of payment” and for that reason, the agency “should be at the forefront of both public education and the fight against financial fraud.”

“Our duty to combat crime against the nation’s financial institutions includes both informing the public about how digital assets operate and collaborating with them to identify, arrest and punish those involved in digital assets,” said Jeremy Sheridan, assistant director of the U.S. Office. Secret Service investigations.

At this time, the Newly launched education site Made up of a dozen definitions related to crypto: what they are Bitcoin (BTC) And how altcoins differ from its blockchain technology and the main cryptocurrency in the market Fixed coins.

It also provides links to past agency news and announcements related to digital assets.

Crypto is a tool only

This is not the first time the U.S. Secret Service has spoken out against the use of cryptocurrencies for illicit purposes.

In July 2020, when the agency formed its cyber fraud task force, Jonah Force Hill, the agency’s cyber policy adviser, Guess The growing trend of cybercrime is “not a cryptocurrency problem”.

“How the crime was committed, whether through crypto or not, or what kind of money was stolen is often irrelevant in this process and therefore does not qualify for statistical purposes,” Hill explained at the time.

The agency added to its list of criminals allegedly linked to cryptocurrencies. “Most Wanted Figurative“From 2021.

In January, Blockchain analytics firm Cynalisis reported that crimes involving cryptocurrencies were high. $ 14 billion By 2021, this activity will account for just 0.15% of the total $ 15.8 trillion in total cryptocurrency transactions recorded throughout the year (the lowest percentage to date).

* Translated and edited by Daniela Pereira do Nacimento with permission decrypt.co.