Operation Lighthouse Identifies CSAM-Linked Crypto Suspects in 125 Countries

A global operation involving law enforcement agencies, cryptocurrency companies and nonprofit organizations generated 14,300 investigative leads, surfaced more than 7,700 suspect accounts and identified CSAM-linked suspects in 125 countries, according to Chainalysis.

The initiative, called Operation Lighthouse, was a multi-day operational sprint designed to turn existing cryptocurrency intelligence connected to child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, into actionable investigative leads.

According to Chainalysis, participants investigated 29,120 cryptocurrency addresses and digital identifiers and targeted more than 100 distinct CSAM platforms, forums and distribution networks across the surface web and dark web.

The operation was hosted at the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) in New York and brought together investigators and other participants from multiple continents.

Turning blockchain intelligence into investigative leads

Operation Lighthouse was designed to move beyond the collection of cryptocurrency intelligence and focus on its operational use.

Chainalysis said the effort was built on months of data enrichment before participants convened for the multi-day sprint. Investigators then worked on priority leads, shared intelligence and pursued potential disruptions involving CSAM-related activity.