“CryptoKalp”: A Tool for Cryptocurrency Investigation

Abstract

There are more than over 23,000 cryptocurrencies” in existence which represent one of the biggest unregulated markets across the globe. Currently, each cryptocurrency utilises distinct public-private key and public address formats. This diversity complicates the investigator's task of tracing and verifying a suspect's involvement in cryptocurrency-related crimes. Moreover, law enforcement agencies such as the police frequently seize digital devices, generating digital disk images for investigation which is a time consuming process. Thus, the investigation of cryptocurrencies has emerged as a major challenge. for law enforcement agencies across the world. Our proposed solution “CryptoKalp” aims to combat cybercrimes involving cryptocurrencies. The essence of our proposed tool is encapsulated in its name: “CryptoKalp.” The name is a fusion of two significant terms - “crypto,” signifying cryptocurrency, and “kalp,” a Sanskrit word representing investigation [1]. Our proposed tool makes the investigation process quicker by taking digital images, strings, various formats of files and folders as input and utilising a comprehensive database of regular expressions covering various cryptocurrency public-private key and address formats. Currently, our tool successfully identifies Bitcoin public-private keys and addresses from text files, with future plans outlined expanding its capabilities for Ether, Tether, Monero, Dash and Dogecoin. Investigating officers can access the system's user-friendly interface and the database containing login credentials, cryptocurrency formats, and history of searched strings, which enables officers to track a specific criminal associated with a series of crypto transactions. Police can confirm whether a suspect is involved in cryptocurrency transactions and take necessary actions. Our solution will aid law enforcement authorities in combating cybercrime.