How to Investigate Cryptocurrency
Designed for investigative journalists who want to understand cryptocurrency and follow the money on the blockchain, this hands-on session requires no previous experience in crypto reporting.
The session will start with crypto basics, including some differences between blockchains and how basic transactions work. It will then cover how to tie crypto wallet addresses to individuals, crime groups, and companies: where to look for illicit cryptocurrency addresses and how to verify the accuracy of crypto address ownership.
Participants will then learn how to begin simple tracing with open source tools, including explorers like Arkham and Tronscan. A key part of this is using primary source material to fact-check the tracing. Participants can run and fact-check a simple Arkham trace live or bring their own addresses to examine together in real time.
Organized in partnership with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), this session builds on the methods behind ICIJ’s Coin Laundry investigation, which showed how some of the world’s largest crypto firms have profited off scams, hacks, and other crimes.
Date: Tuesday November 24, 2026
Time: 9:30 am EST / 3:30 pm CET What time is it in my city?
Duration: One hour, followed by a 15-minute Q-&-A session.
Speaker’s bio: Spencer Woodman is a reporter for ICIJ, based in New York. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Associated Press, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and The Intercept. He also co-wrote GIJN’s Reporter’s Guide to Investigating Cryptocurrency.
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GIJN Academy provides free trainings, webinars, and workshops to investigative journalists around the world with special attention to those from repressive regimes and marginalized communities. Your support helps us keep training opportunities like this one free and accessible to everyone.
