Sharing Experiences and Best Practices in Collecting Electronic Evidence in Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering Investigations

Sharing Experiences and Best Practices in Collecting Electronic Evidence in Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering Investigations

Time: 70 minutes, 15:40 – 16:50, 25 October 2025

Venue: Room R339, National Convention Center, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Language: English (interpretation TBC)

Background

As digital financial technologies evolve, cryptocurrencies and virtual assets have become attractive tools for cybercriminals engaged in illicit activities, including money laundering, ransomware attacks, and transnational organized crime. The anonymous, decentralized nature of many blockchain-based systems presents unique challenges for law enforcement, particularly in accessing and verifying electronic evidence across borders.

Timely and effective sharing of electronic evidence – including blockchain data, transaction records, and platform communications – is critical to the success of investigations. However, differences in legal frameworks, limited technical capacity, and gaps in international cooperation often hinder law enforcement efforts. The emergence of complex crypto-based financial crimes further underscores the need for stronger cross-border mechanisms for accessing and exchanging electronic evidence.

The adoption of the UN Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes provides a timely and comprehensive legal foundation to enhance international cooperation in this area. As the Convention moves toward implementation, there is a pressing need for strategic dialogue on how to operationalize its provisions in the context of cryptocurrency-related investigations.

Objectives

This high-level side event aims to:

• – Examine practical approaches to the collection, preservation, and sharing of electronic evidence in cryptocurrency-related investigations.
• – Identify legal, technical, and operational challenges in cross-border cooperation on cases involving virtual assets and money laundering.
• – Explore how the UN Convention against Cybercrime can support more effective frameworks for international evidence sharing and mutual legal assistance.
• – Highlight successful models of inter-agency and public-private collaboration in tracing and recovering illicit crypto assets.

Methodology

The high-level side event will take place in a plenary format, featuring invited speakers from UN member states attending the signing ceremony of the Convention. Speakers will share national experiences, best practices, and insights on the importance of electronic evidence in combating cybercrime, particularly in the context of cryptocurrency investigations and money laundering.

Discussions will focus on mechanisms for sharing electronic evidence across borders, highlighting how the UN Convention against Cybercrime can support more effective international cooperation. The plenary will be moderated to facilitate a focused and interactive exchange, ensuring that key themes and practical lessons are surfaced for consideration by all participants.