The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom has opened a ‘crypto cell’ under its National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU). Bracing to investigate cryptocurrency crimes, the UK NCA has floated an advertisement to recruit law enforcement officers.

Cryptocurrency hacks are rising in the United Kingdom, given that globally such thefts reportedly totalled to over $3 billion in 2022. As per the NCCU’s “crypto cell,” investigators

Will be dedicated to a proactive cryptocurrency remit with the right tools and capabilities to target UK based subjects,

per NCA’s official job advertisement, as reported by Financial News.

As per the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) findings, cryptocurrencies lead the sector’s financial scam alerts bandwagon in the UK, during March 2021 and April 2022. The total number of cases opened by the FCA to investigate cryptocurrency scams in the said period total to 432. Courtesy of the Conservative party members, Rishi Sunak’s UK Prime Ministership began spreading crypto-friendly legislation speculation in the UK.

The NCCU Crypto Cell will proactively supervise cryptocurrency remit with apt tools to tame crypto criminals in the UK. Specialized cryptocurrency and virtual assets team is reported to have been planned to be readied to support investigations

Applicants for the cryptocurrency law enforcement role are required

To have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 out of the past 5 years.

The crypto-legal experts are expected to offer strategic and tactical advice to investigators in cases pertaining to Cryptocurrency and Virtual Assets. Comprehension of the cryptocurrency industry and its stakeholders is a must, so also is maintaining key stakeholders relationships to support investigations to access vital material for cases.

Identifying and recovering Seeds and BIP phrases of cryptocurrencies wallets would be a vital skill for enforcement officers. Transaction routes for platforms and blockchains, plus comprehension of tracing blockchains is expected.