Elliptic, a leading blockchain intelligence firm, has joined the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat the financing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through cryptocurrency.
By integrating IWF’s specialized dataset of cryptocurrency addresses linked to CSAM into its monitoring platform, Elliptic enhances its ability to detect and prevent illicit transactions.
This partnership grants Elliptic access to IWF’s virtual currency alerts, delivering real-time data on suspicious payments related to child exploitation.
Elliptic Aims to Block Crypto Flows Linked to Child Abuse, Says Intelligence Head
Giuseppe Fersini, Head of Intelligence at Elliptic, emphasized the collaboration’s aim: “stopping actors using the system to send or receive profits from child sexual abuse online”
Interim IWF CEO Derek Ray-Hill added that their analysts identify horrific content and share associated payment details, enabling swift intervention and disruption of funding networks
This alliance marks a notable advance in the proactive identification and interruption of illicit financial networks.
Elliptic’s clients—from exchanges to wallets—can now more effectively block transactions tied to CSAM, while law enforcement gains enhanced tracing capabilities.
It’s a strategic move toward creating a safer digital ecosystem and reinforcing global efforts to dismantle criminal infrastructure that profits from child abuse.
Elliptic-IWF Alliance Sets Precedent for Public-Private Fight Against Online Child Abuse
By merging blockchain technology, data analytics, and nonprofit expertise, this collaboration sets a precedent for public-private cooperation in tackling one of the most reprehensible online crimes.
It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive tools and partnerships to combat the misuse of cryptocurrencies in facilitating child exploitation.
Acting IWF CEO Derek Ray-Hill highlighted the severity of online child sexual abuse, stating that IWF analysts regularly uncover disturbing content sold on websites profiting from such crimes.
By partnering with the IWF, Elliptic can play a key role in disrupting these illegal financial flows, helping to stop the distribution and purchase of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
This collaboration strengthens the ability to trace crypto payments linked to such content and block them in real time. The urgency of this issue was also noted last year by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy, who called crypto the “payment of choice for child abuse material” in a bipartisan letter to federal agencies.
Elliptic-IWF Partnership Boosts Fight Against Crypto-Financed Child Abuse Content
The partnership between Elliptic and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) will significantly enhance efforts to combat the use of cryptocurrency in financing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
By gaining access to IWF’s virtual currency alerts and data on crypto addresses linked to illegal content, Elliptic can strengthen its blockchain monitoring tools.
This enables exchanges, wallets, and law enforcement agencies using Elliptic’s services to more effectively identify and block transactions tied to CSAM.
The collaboration helps disrupt the financial infrastructure behind online child exploitation, prevents the spread of criminal material, and supports legal investigations.
Ultimately, this partnership marks a critical step toward creating a safer crypto ecosystem and reinforcing global efforts to fight online abuse.