As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience in this dynamic market, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible potential of blockchain technology and AI to revolutionize various industries. However, I’m also acutely aware of the emerging risks and threats that come with these technological advancements. The Elliptic report on “AI-enabled crime in the cryptoasset ecosystem” serves as a stark reminder of the double-edged sword we’re dealing with.


A new study entitled “AI-driven Criminal Activities in the Cryptoasset Sphere” by Elliptic, a leading blockchain analytics firm, highlights the growing risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in relation to illegal activities within the cryptocurrency marketplace.

Five kinds of criminal activities leveraging AI technology, illustrated through case studies, are highlighted in the report. These nascent threats encompass deepfake deceit and state-backed cyberassaults, among others.

AI Deepfake Scams

AI holds immense promise for revolutionizing the worldwide economy. However, it comes with inherent risks. As per Elliptic’s findings, malicious actors have started leveraging AI for nefarious purposes within the cryptoasset sector.

One of the report’s key points is that artificial intelligence (AI) is being employed to generate deepfakes – convincing videos and images. These forgeries are utilized by deceitful actors to pose as prominent figures like celebrities, politicians, and business elites, lending credibility to false ventures.

As a diligent crypto investor, I’ve come across a troubling trend. Deepfake videos have become the newest tool for scammers looking to prey on unsuspecting victims through giveaway and doubling schemes. These deceitful videos often depict crypto CEOs or famous personalities urging viewers to send their funds to fraudulent crypto wallets, promising a generous return. Be wary, my fellow investors! Always verify the authenticity of such messages by cross-referencing with official sources before making any transactions.

In the report, there are examples of deepfakes aimed at Ripple (XRP) and its CEO, Brad Garlinghouse. These instances became prominent after Ripple’s legal triumph against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in July 2023.

As a crypto investor, I’ve come across some alarming news. Deepfake scams have targeted prominent figures like Elon Musk, the former prime minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, as well as the 7th and 8th presidents of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te. These impersonations can be incredibly convincing, making it essential for us to stay vigilant. I always double-check any communication purportedly from these individuals through official channels or trusted sources before taking any action.

As a crypto investor, I’m constantly keeping an eye on the latest trends and potential threats in the digital world. And one issue that has been gaining significant attention lately is the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). Anne Neuberger, the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, recently addressed this concern. She pointed out that while AI is being used to make our lives easier in countless ways, it’s also being harnessed for nefarious purposes. From everyday scams to more sophisticated criminal activities, the misuse of AI is a growing threat we can’t afford to ignore.

As a crypto investor, I’ve come across concerns raised by Neuberger about certain entities, including those from North Korea, attempting to leverage advanced AI technologies to expedite the production of harmful software and discover weaknesses in systems.

GPT Tokens and Dark Web Activities

The excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has led to the emergence of GPT-branded tokens. Some of these tokens are genuine, but Elliptic cautions that numerous others are being touted in informal trading communities with misleading statements about their ties to AI firms such as ChatGPT.

The report uncovers conversations on underground web platforms regarding using artificial intelligence to decipher crypto wallet seed phrases from AI models and circumvent authentication for diverse services.

As a cryptocurrency investor keeping an eye on the dark web scene, I’ve come across various conversations on cybercrime forums where Elliptic has identified discussions about using Live Lossless Wallets (LLMs) to reverse-engineer crypto wallet seed phrases. These illicit activities aim to bypass authentication systems for services like OnlyFans and offer alternatives to manipulation services such as DeepNude, which have been infamous for ‘undressing’ images.

Elliptic emphasizes that the majority of risks related to artificial intelligence (AI) in the cryptocurrency field are currently in their infancy. This underscores the significance of staying alert and taking preventative measures against the emergence of new types of crypto criminal activities.

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2024-06-10 01:07