ADEBAYO TIAMIYU
Blockchain Investigations, Intelligence and Security Specialist
Tallinn, EE.About
Highly accomplished and results-oriented Blockchain Investigations Lead with over seven years of progressive experience in the financial services sector. Proven expertise in leading complex investigations, intelligence management, and security operations across global markets (EMEA, North America, East Asia). Adept at leveraging advanced blockchain analytics tools and strategic methodologies to combat financial crime, including money laundering, fraud, and terror financing. Skilled in developing and implementing robust compliance frameworks, managing high-performing teams, and fostering collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement and regulatory bodies. Committed to driving impactful outcomes and enhancing organizational security posture.
Work
Tether
|Law Enforcement Investigations and Blockchain Analytics Lead
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Summary
Led and managed complex investigations into illicit blockchain activities, provided strategic advisory, and collaborated with law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
Highlights
Led comprehensive investigations into complex blockchain and cryptocurrency-related illicit activities, including fraud, money laundering, and terror financing, ensuring regulatory compliance and asset recovery.
Acted as Subject Matter Expert (SME) and oversight lead for DPRK-related incidents, providing critical freeze recommendations and conducting specialized training sessions.
Functioned as Product Owner for the secondary market monitoring tool and IVANN platform integration, enhancing investigative capabilities.
Led training initiatives for UNODC and Operation Shamrock, disseminating best practices in blockchain investigations.
Spearheaded investigations for USDt0 and USDt Lightning projects, contributing to the identification and mitigation of illicit financial flows.
Led the Address Poisoning investigation initiative in collaboration with the FBI, successfully identifying and disrupting sophisticated cybercrime operations.
Drove Terror Financing Lead generation initiatives in partnership with USSS and NBCTF, enhancing national security efforts.
Conducted in-depth assessments of blockchain analytics tools, providing strategic recommendations to management for expertise expansion and technology adoption.
Authored detailed reports and strategic briefings for diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies, facilitating informed decision-making.
Chainlabs
|Head of Intelligence Strategy
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Summary
Developed and executed intelligence strategy, managed key accounts, and optimized data processes to enhance accuracy and client satisfaction.
Highlights
Developed and implemented an innovative blockchain taxonomy, extending beyond traditional Bitcoin labels, which significantly improved data accuracy and relevance across intelligence operations.
Managed strategic accounts including Elliptic, Merkle Science, Crystal Blockchain, and OKLink, translating complex intelligence requirements into actionable OKRs and leading Proof-of-Concept (PoC) efforts that secured a key Chainalysis contract.
Implemented Retool to optimize data ingestion and analysis workflows, resulting in reduced data processing time and accelerated API deliverables.
Designed and executed OKRs for the trace team, integrating qualitative data points to enhance intelligence generation and produce comprehensive quarterly reports on attribution insights.
Formulated high-level intelligence collection strategies, leveraging client feedback and industry trends, which boosted data relevance and client satisfaction by 40%.
Acted as the primary product expert for the AMLBot project, leading improvements in risk categorization, clustering overlap, taxonomy, and data labeling.
TRM Labs
|Blockchain Intelligence
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Summary
Directed the full intelligence cycle for critical crypto economy areas, producing insightful reports for regulatory agencies and optimizing data attribution processes.
Highlights
Directed the complete intelligence cycle for critical crypto economy areas, encompassing data collection, expansion, analysis, and reporting, leveraging sophisticated undercover methodologies.
Developed and refined robust data attribution processes with integrated operational security (OPSEC) measures, enabling scalable undercover activities and enhancing persona reusability.
Authored highly insightful financial crime intelligence reports, shared with key regulatory agencies (FBI, DOJ, HSI, DEA) and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), significantly contributing to cross-border investigations.
Managed diverse intelligence channels, including public and permissioned platforms (Discord, Twitter, Telegram, SEC, PACER portals, GitHub), for comprehensive data ingestion and analysis to produce actionable intelligence reports.
Collaborated effectively with data and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement and strategic enhancements of the TRM product suite.
Kraken Exchange
|Compliance and Investigations
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Summary
Managed and led a team of investigators, conducted in-depth financial crime investigations, and developed compliance programs.
Highlights
Managed and mentored a team of investigators and analysts, significantly enhancing team performance through comprehensive guidance and training programs.
Utilized advanced analytical tools including Dune Analytics, Bitquery, DeFi Llama, and network explorers to generate actionable intelligence for complex investigations.
Employed SQL queries to extract and analyze Tron Blockchain transaction data, facilitating the successful development of an Address Cluster Identification program.
Spearheaded in-depth investigations into complex financial crime cases (money laundering, fraud, terrorism financing), ensuring accurate documentation and effective resolution.
Identified intricate transaction networks, filed multiple Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and designed alert scenarios for illicit charity account transactions, saving the business and related parties millions of dollars.
Consistently made informed decisions on watchlist matches, ensuring meticulous documentation and timely escalation to relevant parties.
Developed and optimized the Request for Information (RFI) process in collaboration with Kraken's banking partners, streamlining information exchange.
Easy Crypto
|Regional Compliance Officer
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Summary
Developed and implemented regional compliance protocols, refined due diligence processes, and improved quality assurance for compliance operations.
Highlights
Developed and implemented robust compliance protocols for digital asset transactions across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Nigeria, ensuring stringent regulatory adherence and effective risk mitigation.
Refined Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes for high-risk clients in Nigeria and South Africa, achieving an 80% reduction in identity fraud.
Designed effective alert scenarios and identified complex transaction networks, leading to the successful completion and filing of multiple Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
Conducted first-level reviews of analyst output, identifying training needs and driving quality improvement initiatives that increased the average QA score from 60% to over 90% within two months.
Digital Jewels Africa
|Lead Cyber Security Manager
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Summary
Managed the full lifecycle of cybersecurity projects, developed security policies, and led incident response efforts.
Highlights
Managed the full project lifecycle for ISO 27001 and 22301 implementations, achieving zero significant non-conformities in client systems and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Developed, implemented, and maintained comprehensive cybersecurity policies, procedures, and best practices, effectively safeguarding the organization's IT infrastructure and systems.
Conducted regular security assessments, vulnerability scans, and penetration testing to proactively identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities and risks.
Drove metrics-based performance management for IT support services, implementing a data-driven continuous improvement approach focused on cybersecurity services and systems.
Led critical incident response efforts, investigating and remediating security incidents, and implementing preventative measures to minimize future occurrences.
Managed security incidents from detection to resolution, conducting thorough root cause analysis and providing actionable recommendations for systemic improvements.
Education
Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
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Master's
Digital Transformation
Federal University of Technology, Minna
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B.Tech.
Cybersecurity
Languages
English
Fluent
Certificates
Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS)
Issued By
ACFCS
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Foundations Europe
Issued By
ACAMS
ISO 27032 Lead Cyber Security Manager
Issued By
PECB
BTA Certified Blockchain Solution Architect
Issued By
Blockchain Training Alliance
TRM Certified Investigator
Issued By
TRM Labs
Chainalysis Ethereum Investigations Certification (CEIC)
Issued By
Chainalysis
Chainalysis Investigation Specialist Certification (CISC)
Issued By
Chainalysis
Chainalysis Reactor Certification (CRC)
Issued By
Chainalysis
Skills
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
Blockchain Analytics, Cryptocurrency Investigations, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), Smart Contracts, Digital Assets, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron Blockchain, Lightning Network, USDt0.
Financial Crime & Compliance
Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), Fraud Investigations, Sanctions Compliance, Know Your Customer (KYC), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), Financial Crime Intelligence, Risk Categorization, Regulatory Compliance.
Intelligence & Analytics
Intelligence Management, Data Analysis, Data Ingestion, Attribution Insights, Threat Intelligence, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), Undercover Operations, Data Labeling, Metrics Management, Root Cause Analysis.
Cybersecurity
ISO 27001, ISO 22301, Cyber Security Management, Incident Response, Security Assessments, Vulnerability Scanning, Penetration Testing, Security Policies & Procedures.
Tools & Platforms
Chainalysis (Reactor, Ethereum Investigations), TRM Labs, Elliptic, Merkle Science, Crystal Blockchain, OKLink, Dune Analytics, Bitquery, DeFi Llama, Retool, SQL, GitHub, Discord, Twitter, Telegram, SEC Portals, PACER Portals.
Leadership & Project Management
Team Leadership, Mentorship, Project Lifecycle Management, Product Ownership, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Training & Development, Quality Assurance (QA), Objectives and Key Results (OKR) Development.