Main Takeaways
Increasing sophistication of crypto-related crime has prompted a high and urgent law enforcement demand for blockchain expertise and faster, more coordinated responses.
Binance is working to address this demand by training officers globally in blockchain and cross-border investigations. In the Asia-Pacific region, recent programs were held in Thailand and South Korea.
These efforts are led by Jarek Jakubcek, Binance’s Head of Law Enforcement Training and Special Investigations teams, dedicated to operational support and training of law enforcement agencies globally, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to combat crypto crime effectively.
In this piece, Jarek Jakubcek, Binance’s Head of Law Enforcement Training Program, shares his insights on equipping law enforcement agencies with the skills and knowledge needed to combat crypto-related crime. Drawing on his work leading training programs across the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Jarek offers his perspective on how Binance is helping to bridge the gap between traditional policing and the fast-evolving world of Web3, empowering the next generation of “crypto cops” to fight cybercrime more effectively.
Law Enforcement Meets Web3
In the fight against cybercrime, there are two very different worlds that must come together.
The first is the offline-first world of traditional law enforcement. It is grounded in jurisdictional boundaries, legal procedures, and physical evidence. This system was historically designed for offline crimes, national legal procedures, and leveraging information from local data sources and eyewitnesses. The second is the natively online world of Web3. It is decentralized, pseudonymous, fast-moving, and highly technical. It operates beyond borders and often beyond the reach of traditional investigative methods. The offenders are often sophisticated and take advantage of technical and jurisdictional issues that law enforcement keeps facing. Reconciling these two worlds is a broader challenge for public institutions, such as police and regulators, and private platforms that build and manage the infrastructure of the digital economy.
As criminal activity increasingly shifts into digital ecosystems, law enforcement agencies face mounting pressure to adapt quickly. While some, like those in Korea and Thailand, have made significant strides, others still face challenges in keeping up with decentralized technologies. Web3 requires a new kind of law enforcement mindset, as it must be collaborative, technically skilled, and capable of acting quickly across borders. Training and partnerships are critical in closing the gap between traditional law enforcement and the demands of blockchain investigations. By connecting public-sector expertise with law enforcement authority and execution, these collaborations make it easier to respond effectively to crypto-related crime across regions.
What a "Crypto Cop" Looks Like
A new kind of law enforcement agent that emerges in response to the increasingly sophisticated cybercrime has a deep understanding of blockchain technology and the complexities of crypto investigations. This comes through training, on-the-job experience, and experimenting with new technologies. It is not a coincidence that, oftentimes, the best cops are themselves avid cryptocurrency users. They know all too well that these crimes are not confined by borders and are confident working across different jurisdictions and sectors. In order to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats, they engage in continuous education, often in close collaboration with private-sector experts who offer specialized knowledge and cutting-edge tools.
Thinking globally and working closely with diverse colleagues, from prosecutors to relevant private-sector partners, is now essential for these investigators. The decentralized and fast-moving nature of crypto-related crime demands agility and constant adaptation. Private companies play a vital role in this ecosystem by providing law enforcement with technical expertise, access to investigative tools, and, most importantly, operational data without which many investigations could never be successful. Through strong collaboration, the private and public sectors can bridge critical capability and resource gaps, enabling faster, more efficient responses to emerging threats and ultimately making the fight against crypto-related crime more effective.
Training Law Enforcement in Thailand and South Korea
Recent training sessions in Thailand and South Korea demonstrate the growing focus on building law enforcement capacity through collaboration and expertise sharing. These events brought together local agencies and international partners to strengthen skills and cross-border cooperation.
In Thailand, Binance has conducted the Asia-Pacific Law Enforcement Day in Bangkok. This regional event, featuring 18 speakers from law enforcement as well as the private sector, brought together officers from Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, and Australia to discuss public safety, trust-building, and the future of Web3 security.
In South Korea, Binance participated in one of the largest in-person crypto crime training programs in the region. The three-day event welcomed over 600 participants, including representatives from the Korean Investigation Academy, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, and US law enforcement stationed in South Korea. Binance’s Investigations team experts, including Minjae, a former officer with the KNPA, provided in-depth guidance on Binance’s cooperation processes, blockchain analysis tools, cross-chain tracing, and case studies of real-world crypto crimes.
Final Thoughts
As cybercrime evolves beyond borders and traditional models, it demands a new kind of law enforcement operative — a “crypto cop” – one who understands both the complexities of blockchain investigations and the realities of traditional crime-fighting methods and is passionate about new developments in the technology and working closely with the private sector. Bridging the worlds of tech and law enforcement is no longer optional; it is essential.
This is not a challenge for governments or platforms alone. It is a shared responsibility. With deeper collaboration, ongoing training, and open dialogue, we can build a stronger, smarter, and safer digital future for everyone.
Further Reading
Crackdown on Kidflix: How Binance Assisted Law Enforcement in Taking Down a Child Exploitation Platform
Binance Physical Security Team on How to Avoid the Threat of Real-Life Attacks
Crypto Crime, Compliance, and Collaboration: Binance Shares Insights at Cyberport Blockchain Security Summit 2025