1st Lt. Sultan Al Dahbashi
Head, Permanent Alliances Development Branch, International Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Interior, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
2026 UAE Crypto Crime Investigations Masterclass
A half-day workshop by the Secure Communities Forum, an international initiative of the UAE Ministry of Interior, in partnership with Rabdan Academy and Mastercard.
Tuesday 17 November 2026 · 13:30 to 17:00 · Dubai World Trade Centre
From blockchain tracing to courtroom evidence
The Secure Communities Forum (SCF) brings together public safety professionals, researchers and industry partners to address shared security challenges. Its Crypto Crime Masterclass takes place on 17 November 2026, alongside World Police Summit 2026.
Through expert presentations, a practical tracing exercise and discussion, the workshop strengthens law enforcement capabilities in:
- Cryptocurrency investigations
- Evidence gathering
- Asset recovery
- Cross-border public-private cooperation
Turn blockchain intelligence into evidence that stands up in court.
What the masterclass covers
The crypto crime threat landscape
Key crime typologies, emerging trends and how illicit funds move between traditional and digital financial systems.
From on-chain activity to courtroom evidence
Tracing versus attribution, and how blockchain intelligence becomes evidence that can be used in court.
Cooperation models
How law enforcement, exchanges, financial institutions and analytics firms work together to trace and freeze illicit funds.
Cooperation across borders
Information sharing, regulatory differences and practical ways to strengthen regional cooperation.
Three parts, one afternoon
01
Expert presentations
Speakers from the UAE Ministry of Interior, Secure Communities Forum, Mastercard and Rabdan Academy set out the threat and the investigative response.
13:30 to 14:5502
Practical exercise
A guided, hands-on exercise in tracing suspicious transactions, identifying investigative leads and deciding what information a case needs next.
15:05 to 16:0503
Discussion and Q&A
A fireside discussion on cooperation across borders, then an open Q&A on the investigative challenges participants bring.
16:05 to 17:00Workshop agenda
Tuesday 17 November 2026, 13:30 to 17:00 UAE time. Open a session to see who is speaking and what it covers.
See the full agenda
13:30Opening and Strategic Context
1st Lt. Sultan Al Dahbashi · Burak Kubilay
Why cryptocurrency-enabled crime matters for law enforcement
Strengthening investigative capability and public-private cooperation
Workshop objectives
13:40The Crypto Crime Threat Landscape
Burak Kubilay
Key crime typologies and emerging trends
How illicit funds move between traditional and digital financial systems
Implications for law enforcement investigations
14:00From On-Chain Activity to Courtroom Evidence
Arushi Goel
Distinguishing transaction tracing from attribution
Turning blockchain intelligence into usable evidence
Connecting on-chain findings with know-your-customer (KYC) records, banking information and other off-chain evidence
14:30Industry and Law Enforcement Cooperation Models for Cryptocurrency Crime
Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen · Prof. Tatyana Gibbs
How law enforcement, cryptocurrency exchanges, financial institutions and blockchain analytics firms can cooperate to investigate cryptocurrency-enabled crime: intelligence sharing, joint investigative support, rapid-response channels for tracing and freezing illicit funds, and shared training.
14:55Break
14:55 to 15:05 UAE time.
15:05Practical Exercise
Led by Caner Akyürek, Binance
A guided, hands-on exercise in tracing suspicious transactions, identifying investigative leads and determining what additional information is needed to advance a case.
16:05Fireside Discussion: From Intelligence to Action, Cooperation Across Borders
Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen · Arushi Goel · Burak Kubilay · 1st Lt. Sultan Al Dahbashi. Moderated by Eitan Charnoff
Cross-border information sharing
Regulatory differences and barriers to investigations
Practical opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation
16:35Participant Q&A
Moderated by Eitan Charnoff and Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen
An open discussion of participants' investigative challenges, emerging priorities and needs for further training and support.
16:50Closing Remarks
Secure Communities Forum
Speakers
Eitan Charnoff
Secretariat and Workshop Moderator
Secure Communities Forum
United States
Burak Kubilay
Eastern Europe Regional Security Officer
Mastercard
Turkey
Arushi Goel
Member, Advisory Board
Secure Communities Forum
United Arab Emirates
Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen
Program Chair, Financial Crime
Rabdan Academy
Singapore
Prof. Tatyana Gibbs
Assistant Professor, MSc in Financial Crime
Rabdan Academy
Caner Akyürek
Senior Investigator, Special Investigations Team
Binance
Turkey
Following the money in a digital world
Cryptocurrency moves across borders in minutes. The masterclass shows investigators how to trace it, attribute it and turn it into evidence.
