The financial industry has been evolving more quickly than most of us anticipated. As digital currencies gain popularity, both new opportunities and hazards are emerging. Cryptocurrencies are no longer a fringe idea; they are now a component of international investment, business, and, regrettably, criminal activity. Investigators and legal experts can help with that. Untangling intricate transactions, tracking digital footprints, and maintaining system integrity are all urgently needed.
Cryptocurrency Forensics and Investigation Using Open Source Tools and Techniques is a two-volume series that was written for such reason. It is intended to be a useful, hands-on resource for people who wish to learn about and research bitcoin activity using openly accessible tools.
The fundamentals are covered in Volume I, including the essential ideas, open source resources, and fundamental techniques, how criminals operate in crypto space, working on privacy coins and more you'll need to begin going. From there, Volume II delves into more complex methods such as tracking assets across many blockchains, identifying trends, and studying actual case studies.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Advanced Cryptocurrency Investigations: Tools, Techniques, and Case Studies. Chapter 2: Cracking the Code: Investigating Cryptocurrency Cybercrime and Theft. Chapter 3: Cryptocurrency Investigative Toolkit: On-Chain and Off-Chain Tools. Chapter 4: Blockchain Forensics and Analysis for Law Enforcement Professionals Following the Digital Money Trail - Tools and Techniques for Cryptocurrency Traceability). Chapter 5: Investigating P2P (Peer-to-peer) Platforms and Crypto Transactions. Chapter 6: Advance DeFi & Smart Contract Crypto Investigation. Chapter 7: Digital Asset Investigation and Forensics: Mining and Ethereum Forensics. Chapter 8: Cryptocurrency Investigations: NFTs, ICOs, and Exchange Forensics. Chapter 9: Advanced Blockchain Forensics and P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Forensics Analysis and Investigation Analysis Investigation. Chapter 10: DeFi, Smart Contracts, and Decentralized Applications (dApps) Forensics Analysis and Investigation. Chapter 11: Forensic Analysis of Privacy Coin / Cryptocurrency Transactions Using Link Analysis. Chapter 12: The Future of Blockchain Forensics: Quantum Computing, Feature Engineering and Machine Learning. Chapter 13: Building an Impenetrable Case: Best Practices and Forensics Tools for Crypto Investigations. Chapter 14: Investigating Alt Coins (Alternative Cryptocurrencies).
About the Author :
Although Prakash Prasad avoids the limelight, his name is very significant in the fields of digital forensics and cryptocurrency crime. Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, he has established a reputation for knowing how to respond when things go wrong in addition to having a thorough understanding of the intricate technical aspects of cyberthreats.
He has authored over a dozen publications over the years, all of which are straightforward manuals that simplify difficult subjects like fintech fraud, cyber law, and the rapidly evolving realm of virtual currencies. But his work goes way beyond writing.
Prakash has helped shape how law enforcement agencies, regulators, and corporate security teams approach digital investigations. He’s trained thousands of professionals, sharing what he's learned from real-world cases so they can better handle today’s cyber threats.
He’s also a regular presence at global cybersecurity conferences, where he dives into how fraud works—from traditional bank scams to dark web marketplaces—and how new tools like blockchain, OSINT, AI, and even quantum computing are changing the game. His work in social media intelligence (SOCMINT) and transaction tracing has helped uncover fraud patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.
What makes Prakash’s approach different is how he blends fields—criminology, forensic science, psychology, finance—and uses that mix to see digital crime from all angles. He’s earned over 220 professional credentials (yes, really), including certifications in crypto crime investigation, cyber forensics, data science, and financial crime analysis. But talk to him, and it’s clear: it’s not about collecting titles—it’s about staying sharp in a space that never stops evolving.
His latest book, Crypto Investigations and Forensics, pulls together everything he’s learned into a hands-on guide. Whether you’re in law enforcement, compliance, or just trying to keep your systems safe, this book lays out what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to navigating the wild world of crypto crime.
Review :
"This book provides invaluable insights into the intricacies of cryptocurrency investigations. The comprehensive coverage of blockchain technology, open source tools, cryptocurrency transactions, and investigative techniques is essential for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) operating in the dynamic digital space. The book's practical approach, coupled with real-world case studies and best practices, equips investigators with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively investigate cryptocurrency-related crimes such as money laundering, fraud, and cybercrime. I highly recommend this book as a valuable resource for all law enforcement professionals involved in cybercrime investigations specifically crypto investigation." – Siddhesh S More, ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad), Mumbai Cyber Team (Crypto Desk)
“As someone who has been working in crypto forensics for over a decade, I can confidently say that this book is a must-read. The depth of coverage, from foundational concepts to advanced investigative techniques, is impressive. The inclusion of custom Python tools provides investigators with a significant edge in tackling complex cases. This is a vital resource for both seasoned professionals and those new to the field." – Dona. L, Chief Crypto Investigations Officer, International Institute of Financial Intelligence
"Prakash Prasad's work is a critical contribution to the field of cryptocurrency investigations. The detailed breakdown of blockchain technology, coupled with the practical application of OSINT and custom Python tools, is invaluable. This book empowers investigators to tackle the most complex crypto crimes with confidence." – Gabby Williams
