Uncovering the World of Seized Digital Assets

Whether it is seizing restaurants, hotels, cars or Bitcoin, our guest, Joanna Summers, Chief Recovery Officer of Asset Reality, has done it all with over a decade of experience working in both the public and private sector on complex asset forfeitures.

In this episode, Ian Andrews (CMO at Chainalysis) speaks to Joanna about developing asset forfeiture programs for countries all over the world and working with the Asset Reality team on their new platform to streamline the asset seizure process.

Joanna shares her history at the US Marshal Service Asset Forfeiture Division and how cryptocurrency slowly started to play a bigger role in investigations and seizures, including major cases like Silk Road.

Joanna also explains why she has recently taken on a role as an ambassador for the Association for Women in Crypto and the importance of having women's voices in the tech and crypto sector be amplified.

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

• (2:15) - The role of asset forfeiture and the process of seizing and selling complex assets
• (6:40) - Joanna's first encounter with cryptocurrency during 2013 Silk Road investigation
• (8:55) - Joining Asset Reality and helping countries improve their asset forfeiture programs
• (13:13) - The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) focus on global asset recovery
• (17:21) - The digital asset recovery procedures and importance of moving crypto quickly into law enforcement controlled wallets
• (21:40) - The emergence of pig butchering scams and how to protect consumers
• (26:15) - Joanna’s role as an ambassador for the Association for Women in Crypto

Related resources

Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.

• Website: The Future of Seized Assets: Asset Reality is the seized asset management platform
• Publication: Amendments to the FATF Standards to Strengthen Global Asset Recovery
• News: Asset Reality Integrates with Fireblocks for Digital Asset Custody
• Website: The association for  WOMEN IN CRYPTO learn. network. advocate.
• Event: Chainalysis Links Conference NYC 2024 (Apr. 9-10, 2024) - New Training Sessions Added
• Blog: U.S. and U.K. Disrupt Lockbit Ransomware Group and Indict Two Russian Nationals While OFAC Levies Sanctions
• YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
• Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
• Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
• Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram 

Speakers on today’s episode

• Ian Andrews * Host * (Chief Marketing Officer, Chainalysis) 
• Joanna Summers (Chief Recovery Officer, Asset Reality) 

This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.

Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.

Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. 

Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Chainalysis. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Chainalysis employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company.