Utilizing Blockchain Data in OSINT

In the world of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), investigators harness the power of publicly available data to gain insights, track individuals, and even aid in criminal investigations. With the explosion of digital currencies and blockchain technology, a new and potent source of OSINT has emerged: blockchain data. This unique data source offers unparalleled transparency and verifiability, making it invaluable for analysts seeking to trace transactions, identify entities, or understand financial behaviors.

What is Blockchain Data?

To understand blockchain data, it’s essential to grasp what a blockchain is. At its core, a blockchain is a distributed ledger technology (DLT) that records transactions across a network of computers. Each transaction is immutable, meaning once it’s written to the blockchain, it can’t be altered or deleted. This ledger is decentralized, meaning that no single entity has control, and it is continuously validated by participants in the network.

Blockchain data refers to the information stored within these ledgers. For popular blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum, this data includes transaction details, such as the amount of cryptocurrency transferred, the sender and receiver wallet addresses, and timestamps. Other details, like transaction fees and block heights, add additional layers of…