The crypto industry offers countless career opportunities far beyond speculating with digital assets. The nascent industry is an attractive target for scammers, and people capable of tracking criminals and protecting the public are in high demand. According to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, worldwide, there’s a shortage of 3.4 million cybersecurity workers. In the US, there are 570,000 open cybersecurity jobs, representing an increase of 35% over the last year.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average cryptocurrency investigator makes over $6,000 per month. The best earners can make around $10,000 monthly.
So, you consider yourself a crypto buff. You know how the blockchain works and can read a blockchain explorer. Is being a certified cryptocurrency investigator™ a viable career opportunity for you? Do you have what it takes to become a top-earning Cryptocurrency Investigator?
Let’s see what you need to know to answer those questions.
What Does a Cryptocurrency Investigator Do?
The crypto industry presents investigators with unique challenges and opportunities.
Certified cryptocurrency investigators are experts in tracing the movement of funds through multiple blockchains. They know which tools to use and how to read the data blockchain explorers provide.
Handling the multitude of available tracing and analysis tools requires specialist knowledge and skills as well.
The primary goal of a Cryptocurrency Investigator is to associate transactions and crypto addresses with real-world identities. In addition to tracing, CCIs may also handle other tasks, such as:
- Fraud detection. Investigators must identify, gather, and manage digital evidence to spot scams, Ponzi schemes, fraudulent ICOs, and other shady crypto operations.
- Money laundering. Cryptocurrency Investigators must know the legal definition of money laundering and recognize blockchain-based schemes to launder funds.
- Cybercrime response. Cryptocurrency Investigators respond to reports of cybercrime in the realm of digital assets according to a procedure meant to optimize the identification of the perpetrators and the mitigation of the fallout.
- Communication. Professional investigators must cooperate with cybercrime victims, exchanges, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Coordination. A Cryptocurrency Investigator may have to coordinate intricate, joint investigations, sharing information with a variety of stakeholders.
- Education. Crypto investigators often conduct workshops and training sessions while working to raise awareness about crypto crime and the methods criminals use.
To perform these tasks, Cryptocurrency Investigators need certain skills.
What Skills Does a Cryptocurrency Investigator Need?
To be a Cryptocurrency Investigator, you must understand the intricacies of blockchain-based networks and the crypto markets. You may also need experience and expertise in various law enforcement-related activities.
Some Cryptocurrency Investigator programs have eligibility requirements, so they won’t accept you if you don’t have experience in at least some of the following fields:
- Investigations
- Fraud
- E-commerce
- Law enforcement
- Military
- Cyber intelligence
- Forensics
- Digital forensics
- Criminal justice
Specialized Learning Areas and Skills Development
Even with years of experience in one or more of these fields, you must learn much to become a certified cryptocurrency investigator™. Specifically, in the field of analysis, you can learn:
- Language analysis
- Exploitation analysis
- Threat analysis
- Targets
- All-source analysis
In the realm of investigations, you have to master digital forensics and cyber investigation.
The field of collections and operations features several specialty areas like:
- Cyber operations
- Cyber operational planning
- Collection operations
In operation and maintenance, Cryptocurrency Investigators can opt for the following specializations:
- Systems administration and analysis
- Network services
- Data administration
- Knowledge management
- Customer service and technical support
- Data administration
Cryptocurrency Investigators may be interested in governance as well, which covers the following specializations:
- Advocacy and legal advice
- Project management
- Cyber leadership
- Cybersecurity management
- Policy and strategic planning
- Education and training
- Awareness
In addition to tracing cybercrime, Cryptocurrency Investigators may have to assume roles focusing on protecting and defending. This field of expertise includes specializations like:
- Support of cyber defense infrastructures
- Cyber defense analysis
- Vulnerability management and assessment
- Incident response
Organizations may need Cryptocurrency Investigators’ expertise to support the building of secure information technology systems. In this respect, Cryptocurrency Investigators may specialize in:
- Software development
- Risk management
- Systems architecture and development
- Requirements planning
- Systems research and development
- Evaluation and testing
Not all Cryptocurrency Investigators need all these skills, but the top-paid experts are decently versed in them and have the leadership skills to fill their skill gaps by hiring the right experts.
How Much Do Cryptocurrency Investigators Make?
Cryptocurrency investigation pays relatively well for a highly specialized job requiring multiple layers of expertise.
ZipRecruiter has over 10 cryptocurrency investigator jobs posted. Based on these job offers and their expertise, the recruiter has determined that entry-level salaries for these jobs are in the $4,300 per month range. Most investigators earn more. A seasoned professional may earn as much as $6,100. The top earners may take home $9,700 every month.
Being a Cryptocurrency Investigator is a well-paying job indeed. It requires much expertise, however. And the tracing and recovery part of the job can be challenging.
How Do You Become a Cryptocurrency Investigator?
To become a certified cryptocurrency investigator™, you must undertake a training course or more, depending on your expertise. You must complete a course that provides such a perk to earn a certification. If you’re going to earn a certification, ensure that it is one the industry recognizes and values.
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICSS) is a governmental organization that is the top online resource for cybersecurity information, careers, and training in the US. If you earn a certification, earn one that bears the NICSS stamp of approval.
Many certification courses exist for Cryptocurrency Investigators. Choose one that suits your skills and needs. Trainers offer access to individual course modules or entire packages. Decide which approach suits your needs and only commit when you know what you get.
Some examples of Cryptocurrency Investigator courses are:
- An introductory course on cryptocurrencies, covering basics like types of currencies, legality, etc
- A course focusing on Bitcoin, covering cryptocurrency mining, the history of the dominant digital asset, common criminal schemes, AML policies, etc
- A course on how criminals use cryptocurrencies and various aspects of crypto crime, including peer-to-peer exchanges, obfuscation techniques, etc
- An introduction to the dark web and why cryptocurrencies are so attractive for online criminals
- A forensics course to help investigators make sense of pseudo-anonymous transactions by analyzing data and identifying behavioral patterns indicative of fraud
- Courses on advanced cryptocurrency concepts like obfuscation techniques and layer two ecosystems
- Courses on decentralized exchanges and decentralized finance
- Courses on specific cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and ETH
How Do You Start a Career in Cryptocurrency?
Career opportunities in the cryptocurrency industry are on the rise. Becoming a cryptocurrency investigator is only one possible career path. You can become a blockchain developer, architect, project manager, administrator, or UX manager.
Here are the steps you should consider if you’re looking to start a career in cryptocurrency:
- Learn. Teach yourself the basics of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Experiment if possible.
- Acquire technical skills. Technical skills in hot demand in the cryptocurrency industry are data analysis, programming languages, cybersecurity, and cryptography.
- Focus on a specialization. Choose the area of the cryptocurrency industry that supports your strengths and skills.
- Acquire experience. Build a portfolio by contributing to open-source initiatives. Don’t shy away from networking.
- Stay in the loop. Stay informed on the latest industry developments. Focus on continuous improvement.
- Seek entry-level employment. Even an internship at a financial institution can provide a valuable starting point for your crypto career.
- Get certified. By becoming a Certified Cryptocurrency Investigator™, you can validate your skills and knowledge.
- Persist. It may take time to secure a lucrative position as a crypto expert. Don’t let setbacks faze you, and keep your eyes on your goals.
To become a Cryptocurrency investigator, you can join programs like the Blockchain Intelligence Group Certified Cryptocurrency Investigator™ On-Site Program offered by CNC Intelligence Inc.
The learning curve may be steep and daunting, but remember: the industry needs security experts.
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