U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to step up efforts to combat the use of cryptocurrencies in the child sexual abuse material (CSAM) market. asked to do so.
In a letter of grave concern to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. senators specifically warned the Department of Justice and Homeland Security about the use of cryptocurrencies in the CSAM market. We requested that Japan transparently disclose its technical capabilities to counter the threat of terrorism.
“Existing anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and law enforcement techniques face challenges in effectively detecting and preventing these crimes,” the letter said.
The senators cited research by the analysis firm Chainalysis as the basis for their concerns. 2024 report shows increasing use of cryptocurrencies in CSAM transactions. Criminals are said to be using cryptocurrency “mixers” and “privacy coins” like Monero to launder money, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them down.
“The anonymity provided by cryptocurrencies allows payments to CSAM to “quickly move into the world of cryptocurrencies,” and we hope Congress and the government will end CSAM and ensure that sellers of this material We are committed to ensuring that you have the tools you need to punish. ”
The letter consisted of six questions. The three questions are designed to examine the aforementioned federal agency findings regarding the relationship between cryptocurrencies and CSAM. Other questions asked for new tools that would allow law enforcement to identify and police buyers and sellers in this market.
Federal agencies have until May 10 to respond to senators.
As previously reported by crypto.news, cryptocurrency exchange Binance was allegedly involved in facilitating transactions related to CSAM materials and other criminal activities. The exchange has been indicted by federal authorities, and its CEO Changpeng Zhao is expected to be sentenced to 36 months in prison.
