Blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic has joined the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a nonprofit dedicated to combating online child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This partnership enhances Elliptic’s ability to identify and prevent crypto transactions linked to CSAM.
The IWF’s 2024 report revealed that over 60% of child abuse websites with payment options accept cryptocurrencies. While privacy coins like Monero are increasingly used by CSAM sites, Elliptic noted they typically complement more traceable assets.
Through access to the IWF’s virtual currency alerts, Elliptic will receive real-time data on crypto transactions associated with CSAM. This includes identification of payment networks and wallet addresses involved, enabling Elliptic to help clients block illicit transactions.
“IWF analysts find images and videos of some of the worst types of child sexual abuse on websites that profit from the sale of this horrific content,” said acting IWF CEO Derek Ray-Holl. “By working with us, Elliptic can help disrupt the spread of this criminal imagery and stop this type of illegal purchasing in its tracks.”
In 2023, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy described crypto as the “payment of choice for child abuse material” in a bipartisan letter to government agencies. The IWF’s data supports this, showing cryptocurrency as the most common payment method on commercial CSAM sites.
Elliptic views the partnership as part of its broader mission to promote a safer digital ecosystem. Giuseppe Fersini, Elliptic’s Head of Intel, said the firm actively supports the IWF through data integration and strategic collaboration to address how payment systems are exploited in CSAM distribution.
Privacy coins such as Monero pose challenges for tracing illicit funds, as noted in a 2024 Chainalysis report. However, Fersini emphasized that these coins are usually used alongside traceable assets as part of complex laundering strategies. Elliptic leverages asset-agnostic data solutions to detect patterns despite efforts at concealment.
The IWF plans to expand its membership within the blockchain and crypto industry. Cat McShane, the IWF’s Press Officer, highlighted the importance of partnerships with firms like Elliptic and Chainalysis to effectively disrupt the commercialization of CSAM.