Hear the author of American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Mastermind Behind Silk Road discuss his New York Times best-selling book with the former HSI agent who led the investigation that shut Silk Road down. Silk Road was a hidden marketplace that existed in the dark web where criminals could sell and buy illicit merchandise including malware, hacking services, pirated goods and narcotics while enjoying a perceived level of anonymity. Moreover, the payment method of choice was cryptocurrency. The book has been described as a thriller and a captivating depiction of the Silk Road marketplace, from its launch in 2011 to the capture of Ross Ulbricht (“Dread Pirate Roberts”) in 2013.

Understanding the lessons learned from such a massive investigation and the evolution of this digital era is paramount for financial institutions to develop and implement mitigating strategies to minimize the risk posed by criminal networks leveraging virtual assets and distribution channels for their illicit activities. While the use of virtual assets/cryptocurrency and the dark web along with modern tools to obscure and anonymize transactions may be perceived as roadblocks, there are best practices, solutions and tools available to properly trace, identify and block the financial transactions fueling and supporting these crimes.