Case Studies
From ransomware takedowns to enterprise compliance programs, explore how Sentinel has helped the world's leading institutions combat crypto crime, ensure regulatory compliance, and recover billions in illicit funds across 70+ countries.
Tracing $47M in ransomware proceeds across 8 blockchains
A sophisticated ransomware group had laundered $47M in cryptocurrency proceeds across 8 different blockchains using a complex network of bridges, mixers, and DEX swaps. Traditional tracing tools lost visibility at chain boundaries, and the group employed time-delayed transactions and chain-hopping to evade detection.
Sentinel's cross-chain tracing engine maintained an unbroken audit trail across all 8 blockchains, de-obfuscating mixer outputs and reconstructing bridge transfers. Our Entity Attribution Engine identified the final destination wallets linked to known exchange accounts. The investigation team worked with 5 exchanges across 3 jurisdictions to coordinate asset freezing.
The investigation led to the arrest of three key operators and the seizure of $38M in digital assets. Forensic reports were admitted as evidence in courts across three jurisdictions. The case established legal precedent for cross-chain evidence admissibility.
Enterprise-grade crypto compliance for a top-10 global bank
A top-10 global bank sought to offer digital asset custody and trading services but lacked the compliance infrastructure to meet regulatory requirements across 40+ jurisdictions. Existing AML systems generated excessive false positives and could not handle the volume and velocity of crypto transactions.
Sentinel deployed its full compliance suite, including real-time transaction monitoring, VASP risk profiling, and automated regulatory reporting, integrated via our Enterprise API. Custom risk scoring models were trained on the bank's specific risk appetite and regulatory requirements. The deployment included dedicated on-site support for the first 90 days.
The bank launched digital asset services within 6 months, achieving full regulatory approval in all target jurisdictions. The platform now screens over $2B in monthly transaction volume with a 94% reduction in false positives compared to their previous system.
Tracing $180M stolen in a sophisticated smart contract exploit
A major DeFi protocol suffered a $180M exploit through a flash loan attack. The attacker began laundering funds through multiple DEXs, bridges, and privacy protocols within minutes of the exploit. Speed was critical — every hour of delay meant more funds could be converted to fiat or moved to uncooperative jurisdictions.
Sentinel's incident response team deployed within 2 hours, using real-time cross-chain tracing to follow the fund flow. ML-powered entity attribution identified behavioral patterns matching a known threat actor. Our team coordinated with 12 exchanges and 4 law enforcement agencies simultaneously to freeze assets before they could be withdrawn.
Through coordinated efforts with exchanges and law enforcement, $142M (79%) of the stolen funds were frozen and returned to the protocol. The attacker was identified and arrested within 30 days.
Comprehensive crypto surveillance framework for a G7 regulator
A G7 financial regulator needed comprehensive surveillance capabilities over the domestic crypto market, including detection of market manipulation, monitoring of licensed VASPs, and enforcement of sanctions compliance. The regulator had no existing crypto-native surveillance tools.
Sentinel implemented a custom surveillance platform monitoring all major crypto markets in real-time, with automated detection of wash trading, spoofing, and insider trading patterns. The system integrates with the regulator's existing enforcement workflow and provides automated evidence packaging for enforcement actions.
The regulator has supported 85+ enforcement actions, resulting in over $500M in fines and penalties. The program is now considered a model for other G7 nations and has been presented at FATF and IOSCO working groups.
Identifying $320M in sanctions-evading crypto transactions for a central bank
A central bank discovered that sanctioned entities were using cryptocurrency to circumvent traditional financial sanctions. The bank needed to identify the full scope of sanctions evasion activity and trace the flow of funds through the domestic financial system. The sanctioned entities used over 4,000 wallets across 12 blockchains.
Sentinel deployed its sanctions screening module with custom OFAC, EU, and UN sanctions list integration. Our clustering algorithms identified 4,200+ wallets controlled by the sanctioned entities, and cross-chain tracing revealed the complete laundering infrastructure including nested exchanges and OTC desks.
The investigation identified $320M in sanctions-evading transactions and led to the delisting of 3 non-compliant exchanges. The central bank adopted Sentinel as its permanent crypto sanctions monitoring platform.
Dismantling a $92M romance scam and investment fraud network
A transnational organized crime group operated a sophisticated pig butchering (romance scam) network that defrauded over 12,000 victims across 30 countries. Victims were lured into fake investment platforms and convinced to deposit cryptocurrency. The group used a complex web of wallets, mixers, and cross-chain bridges to launder proceeds.
Sentinel's Entity Attribution Engine mapped the entire financial infrastructure of the syndicate — over 8,000 wallets across 6 blockchains. Our behavioral analysis identified the consolidation patterns and cash-out points. The investigation team provided real-time intelligence to law enforcement in 4 countries simultaneously.
The operation resulted in 47 arrests across 4 countries, the seizure of $67M in crypto assets, and the shutdown of 14 fraudulent investment platforms. Over 3,000 victims were identified for restitution proceedings.
Rebuilding compliance infrastructure for a top-5 crypto exchange
Following regulatory scrutiny, a top-5 global crypto exchange needed to completely overhaul its compliance infrastructure. The exchange processes 50M+ transactions daily across 180+ markets and needed real-time screening that could scale without impacting user experience or trading latency.
Sentinel implemented a high-throughput screening pipeline processing 50M+ daily transactions with sub-50ms latency. Custom risk models were developed for each market jurisdiction. The system includes automated SAR filing, travel rule compliance, and real-time sanctions screening with zero downtime deployment.
The exchange achieved regulatory approval in 12 new jurisdictions within 8 months. Transaction screening accuracy improved by 87%, and the compliance team's efficiency increased 4x, allowing them to handle growing volumes without proportional headcount increases.
Attributing $240M in stolen crypto to a nation-state APT group
A series of sophisticated attacks on DeFi protocols and centralized exchanges resulted in the theft of $240M in cryptocurrency. The attacks showed hallmarks of a state-sponsored APT group, but definitive attribution required tracing funds through an elaborate laundering infrastructure spanning 15+ blockchains and hundreds of intermediary wallets.
Sentinel's advanced threat intelligence team conducted a 6-month investigation using proprietary clustering algorithms, behavioral fingerprinting, and temporal analysis. Our cross-chain tracing engine mapped the complete fund flow from initial theft through layering to final cash-out, identifying unique operational signatures that matched known APT tactics.
The investigation provided definitive attribution to a state-sponsored threat actor, supporting diplomatic actions and targeted sanctions. The intelligence was shared with partner agencies in 8 allied nations. The case contributed to the identification and disruption of the group's broader financial infrastructure.
Cumulative Impact