Introduction to blockchain: Crypto investigation and AML compliance
Live online training on how to prevent, detect and investigate the use of cryptoassets for illicit activities
Next dates
23–26 November 2026 | 22–25 February 2027
Course length
3.5-hour sessions over four days
Cost
CHF 800 (CHF 450 for elegible participants)
Language
English
Certificate of Completion
Provided to participants who attend for the full duration of the course
For
Individuals or groups – max. 35 participants
Learn how crypto is redefining financial crime, and how to respond
What are virtual assets, how and why did they emerge? How does the blockchain operate? And, more importantly, how can you monitor transactions, do due diligence and adapt risk management frameworks to them?
An array of professions is being faced with more and more cases involving crypto. Whether you are a law enforcement officer, policy-maker, regulator, financial professional or another practitioner from the business sector, you have the opportunity to be a pioneer in your field: to understand how crypto works, and to build the skills to follow the money wherever it goes.
This live online training is a first, solid step in this direction. The course is built around a practical money laundering case study in which you investigate the “cleaning” of stolen assets and their integration into the financial system by tracing transactions through the blockchain. That way, you can apply what you learn to your work right away.
Course details
- Who is it for?: Investigators, prosecutors, Financial Intelligence Unit members, lawyers, AML/CFT and compliance professionals, FinTech practitioners and investigative journalists. Policymakers, regulators and students benefit too. You don’t need any crypto or technical background to join.
- Delivery method: Instructor-led course delivered virtually via video conference and the Basel Institute’s LEARN platform. The course combines presentations, group discussions and practical exercises.
- Timing: 3.5 hours per day over four consecutive days, including a 30-minute break.
Why train with us
Practitioner-led: Taught by the International Centre for Asset Recovery, with 20+ years of experience supporting governments.
Small, interactive classes: Exchange experience with peers and put new concepts into practice in groups of 25 to 35.
Case-based learning: Work through real and simulated cases with participants from around the world, in real time.
Get a certificate, add it to your resume: Earn a Certificate of Completion that shows the hands-on skills you have gained.
Syllabus
- Introduction to crypto Unpack the meaning and scope of terms like “cryptocurrency”, “virtual asset” and “distributed ledger technology (DLT)”, and discover how and why these technologies emerged.
- Blockchain fundamentals: understanding addresses, wallets and transactions See how the blockchain operates, including how transactions are stored and how they are validated and secured by miners.
- Blockchain analysis Learn how to monitor transactions in real time, which software tools are most appropriate, and the techniques criminals use to stay anonymous.
- Due diligence Gain a crucial insight into how financial intermediaries can adapt traditional AML/CFT programmes to new payment methods.
- Risk management Adapt risk management frameworks to clients, assets and transactions involving cryptoassets, which takes both legal and technical skills. Leave with best practices and information sources.
- Seizure and confiscation Find out how seizing and confiscating cryptoassets differs, how to take possession of, secure and later manage a crypto wallet, and what the critical steps are, through theory and practical examples.
Your trainers
Dates and price
| Dates | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| 23–26 Nov 2026 | 14:00–17:30 CET | Enrol |
| 22–25 Feb 2027 | 10:00–13:30 CET | Enrol |
To earn your Certificate of Completion, attend at least 80% of the course and complete the assignments.
CHF 800 per person.
Discounted fee
CHF 450 discounted rate for employees of public-sector, multilateral, non-profit and academic organisations, and for independent journalists without sponsorship.
What our participants say
"The course was interactive with lots of practical exercises. I learnt a lot that I will be able to use in my day-to-day tasks."
"I came with no prior knowledge... and feel more secure now to handle crypto-related cases. The course provided a good foundation to build on."
"A good mix of regulatory environment, technical and practical exercises."
"I learned exactly what I was hoping to learn, topics I previously had no knowledge of, and even more! Alex was excellent. He explained the theory very clearly. Cryptocurrencies can be difficult to understand, yet he broke everything down in a way that made it easy to understand, even for me."
"Very clear and easy to understand. A lot of experience gained. Both teachers were very interesting and friendly. They used a language that everybody understood."
Looking to build financial investigations and asset recovery skills across your organisation? Book a private training for your company or organisation. We’re happy to discuss specific needs, timings, languages and fees for groups.
Don’t miss the next training
Subscribe to our newsletter and select “Events and courses” to be the first to hear about new live online training dates.
Subscribe to our newsletterMore learning opportunities
Live online training: Asset recovery for civil society and journalists
Understand financial investigations and asset recovery – and how non-state actors can support them.
Live online training: Financial investigations and asset recovery for practitioners
Build core competencies in identifying, tracing and recovering criminal assets.
Basel LEARN eLearning courses
Learn new skills to fight financial crime – online and free.
Basel STUDY academic programmes
Earn a postgraduate degree in anti-corruption and asset recovery from the Basel Institute and the University of Basel.