A Criminological Examination of Cryptocurrency-Related Crimes with a Focus on Iran's Legislative Criminal Policy

Rapid technological developments have continually generated new instruments and mechanisms for the advancement of knowledge and the facilitation of human life. The possibility of criminal misuse of such developments, however, should not justify abandoning their legitimate and beneficial functions. Virtual forms of money, particularly digital and cryptographically secured currencies, are among the emerging phenomena that, alongside their legitimate economic applications, have increasingly been associated with the commission of certain offences. Although cryptocurrency-related offending takes diverse forms, money laundering and fraud warrant particular attention because of their links to other criminal activities and the frequently organized nature of their commission. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing on documentary and library-based sources, this study examines preventive measures against money laundering and fraud in the field of digital currencies. The findings indicate that factors such as the difficulty of identifying the true identity of transaction parties, uncertainty regarding the origin and destination of transferred funds, and insufficient technical expertise among law-enforcement and prosecutorial authorities contribute materially to the expansion of these offences. Although the detection and prosecution of cybercrime, especially cryptocurrency-based money laundering, face significant obstacles, these difficulties can be mitigated through the capacities of specialized public institutions, the involvement of qualified private persons and entities, the enhancement of the technical knowledge and practical expertise of the police and other responsible bodies, and the expansion of international cooperation. Against this background, the adoption of proportionate criminal provisions and a comprehensive, coordinated criminal policy that takes account of the complex characteristics of cyberspace and emerging financial technologies is indispensable.