Navigating the Nexus of Cryptocurrency Fraud, Cybercrime, and Regulatory Public Sentiment

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This panel aims to explore the multifaceted challenges at the intersection of cryptocurrency fraud, cryptocurrency-facilitated cybercrime, and public opinion on regulatory measures. As digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to reshape financial landscapes, they simultaneously provide fertile ground for sophisticated fraud schemes—including phishing scams, Ponzi schemes, and fraudulent initial coin offerings—as well as cybercrimes that leverage blockchain’s inherent anonymity.

This panel examines emerging trends in fraudulent practices and cybercriminal activities that exploit vulnerabilities in digital wallets, exchanges, and online platforms. Discussions will delve into the operational dynamics of these illicit activities, analyzing the socio-technical predictors of victimization and the evolving tactics of cybercriminal networks. Additionally, the panel will consider the critical role of public opinion in shaping cryptocurrency regulation. Experts will explore how shifts in consumer sentiment and trust influence policymaking and regulatory frameworks, and discuss the balance needed between fostering innovation and protecting consumers in an increasingly digital economy.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Types of Offending / 21. Identity Theft and Cyber Crime

Individual Presentations

• Understanding Cryptocurrency User’s Willingness to Federal Regulations - Thomas Meal, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Claire Seungeun Lee, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Predictors of Cryptocurrency-Enabled Cybercrimes - Xichen Wang, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Thomas Meal, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Claire Seungeun Lee, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Understanding the Patterns, Types, and Consequences of Cryptocurrency Fraud - Claire Seungeun Lee, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Sowndaryan Jayaprakashanand, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• The Threat of Cyber-Laundering: An Evaluation of the Security Landscape and Vulnerability of Crypto Exchange - Lauryn Krebs, University of Massachusetts Lowell