Information about BlockAML’s values, key objectives and guiding principles. Understand what sets BlockAML apart.
About
Founded by a barrister passionate about criminal law and digital assets.
Project established by a dedicated Bitcoiner with first-hand experience tackling bad actors misusing crypto.
Project
Increase education about digital assets.
Raise awareness of the benefits of blockchain technology.
Foster the potential for greater financial inclusivity.
Mission
Dedicated to crypto AML and warning about the crime risks associated with blockchain technology.
Dedicated to helping crypto usage spread globally, while striving to minimise the number of illicit transactions in the crypto space.
Commitment
Acceptance that digital assets are so much more than “internet funny money” or “pictures of cartoon apes”.
Backed by a unique combination of personal and professional experiences.
Grounded
#bespoke #blockchain #crypto #digitalassets #NFTs #training #consulting #solutions #support #strategy
#bespoke #blockchain #crypto #digitalassets #NFTs #training #consulting #solutions #support #strategy
BlockAML’s Founder
Michael Halepas, the founder of BlockAML, was Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2007. He is a member of the Inner Temple and has extensive experience in criminal law.
Renowned for his openness to digital assets and his dedication to public-private international cooperation in the crypto space, Michael was the sole law enforcement speaker at the previous two NFT.NYC global conferences, events focussing specifically on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).
Michael has personal experience in both handling digital assets and being a target of fraudsters in the crypto space. His professional experience in digital assets includes previously establishing Jersey as a leader in crypto law enforcement.
Michael invites you to benefit from the vast experience gained over years at the coalface of criminal justice and hundreds of hours dedicated to the study of digital assets.
“[Jersey] is lucky to have people like you!”
Michael’s Notable Digital Assets Experience as a Legal Adviser in Jersey, C.I.:
VASPs National Risk Assessment: Represented the Law Officers’ Department in Jersey's VASPs National Risk Assessment Working Group, contributing expertise to regulatory efforts. Collaborated to conduct a thorough analysis of the virtual asset landscape, including emerging trends, regulatory developments, and technological advancements, to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities.
Legislative Advice: Advised the Government in crypto-compliant legislative amendments to proceeds of crime law and civil forfeiture law.
Civil Enforcement: Advisory role with the Viscount's Department. Provided key advice on digital assets identification, seizure, and custody. Supported the Viscount’s development of a civil enforcement policy to digital assets.
Tax: Point-of-contact to Jersey Revenue concerning tax issues related to digital assets.
Government of Jersey
Law Officers’ Department of Jersey
Lead Digital Assets Lawyer: Maintained up-to-date knowledge of digital asset developments and global law enforcement challenges. Advised the Attorney General on the extent to which Jersey’s civil forfeiture legislation captures virtual assets.
Strategic Planning: Drafted the Parallel Virtual Assets Investigations strategy aligned with HM Attorney General’s guide on Financial Action Task Force Recommendation 30, ensuring effective investigation and prosecution of financial crimes involving virtual assets. Drafted the “Digital Assets” section of the Law Officers’ prosecution manual.
Training and Education: Led training in "Blockchain and Digital Assets" to Jersey's public authorities, enhancing their understanding of the subject. Supported a neighbouring jurisdiction's crypto education efforts, fostering cross-border cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
States of Jersey Police
Crime investigation: Advised in every police crypto investigation in Jersey. Provided on-the-ground legal support to investigators and directed international lines of inquiry.
Crime Prevention: Drafted the Island’s crypto law enforcement strategy. Supported the police in their public outreach efforts to warn islanders about the risks of crypto scams.
Continuous Training: Delivered structured educational support in "Blockchain and Digital Assets" across the different police units. Ensured each uniformed police unit was furnished with updated knowledge in Jersey’s crypto law enforcement strategy.
Financial Intelligence Unit: Reviewed and commented on hundreds of SARS. Developed a solid appreciation of the ingredients necessary to make an effective SAR. Identified potential money laundering offences and regulatory breaches by SAR reporters.
“You really do lead the way on Crypto”
Michael’s Notable Financial Crime Experience:
Disclosure Counsel
Serious Fraud Office
International Scope: Disclosure counsel in the investigations into LIBOR and EURIBOR manipulation involved multiple jurisdictions, financial institutions, and individuals across different countries.
Collusion Among Financial Institutions: The prosecutions revealed widespread collusion among major financial institutions in manipulating these benchmark rates for their benefit.
Member of the SFO teams that investigated and prosecuted international manipulation of LIBOR and EURIBOR benchmark rates.
Analysis of alleged fraudulent conduct: by bank traders/submitters/management. Evidential review of audio and documentary evidence totalling over 60,000 documents, including the review/translation of private discussions conducted in Greek.
Disclosure: voluminous material and extensive disclosure schedules. Uniformly and reliably reviewed unused case material applying the Disclosure Test. Assisted with the preparation of position papers and building disclosure schedules.
Senior Crown Prosecutor
Crown Prosecution Service, London-South Crown Court Unit
Advocacy Panel, Legal Training and Mentorship: Assessed applications to the General Crime Panel and the Fraud Panel, ensuring quality legal representation. Mentored legal trainees and established practitioners in the Legal Trainee Supervisors Group.
High-Profile Fraud Prosecution: Successfully managed a currency exchange fraud prosecution with media attention and complex legal challenges.
Confiscation of Criminal Proceeds: Guided investigations and collaborated with police on seizing and confiscating criminal proceeds, disrupting criminal financial foundations.
Blockchain Money Laundering Cases: Advised investigators in cases involving money laundering through blockchain transactions, collaborating with detectives and cyber investigators, demonstrating an understanding of emerging financial technologies.
Combatted Online Investment Frauds: Collaborated with joint police teams and cyber investigators to prosecute online investment frauds, protecting vulnerable individuals.
Data Protection Policy Implementation: Data Protection lawyer in National Crime Agency investigation. Advised on implementation of Data Protection Policy covering the UK’s departure from the EU, ensuring legal compliance and privacy safeguards.
Senior Crown Prosecutor
Crown Prosecution Service, Specialist Fraud Division
Broad criminal experience: Handled cases involving serious violence, attempted murder, large-scale commercial burglaries, firearms, sex offences, gang violence, drugs importation and distribution, fraud, money laundering, domestic violence, and public disorder.
Accomplished management of cases: accustomed to managing a load of 70+ live Crown Court cases. Reviewed serious and complicated criminal cases, including those attracting media attention.
Judicial Review: successful case referral to the Attorney-General in a high-profile case involving the violent use of an offensive weapon: [2019] 1 WLUK 323.
Victim Strategy and Case Management: Reviewed fraud cases targeting vulnerable individuals, emphasizing justice and victim advocacy in victim strategy and case management conferences.
Extensive training received: Code for Crown Prosecutors, Cybercrime, Controlling and Coercive Behaviour, Digital Charging, Forensic Testing of Firearms, Confiscation, Modern Slavery, and Gender Hate Crime.
Legal Adviser
Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit, Law Officers' Department of Jersey
Conviction in landmark case: Played a pivotal role in securing convictions in Jersey's first "irresistible inference" money laundering case.
Appellate success: Contributed to appellate success by assisting in the preparation of the Crown's response to an appeal against sentence.
Expert Legal Guidance: Provided invaluable on-the-ground legal support to law enforcement agencies. Showcased exceptional expertise in complex financial crime matters.
International Collaboration: Established effective liaisons with foreign law enforcement agencies and revenue authorities, facilitating international collaboration in the prosecution of multi-jurisdictional financial crimes.
Specialised Investigations: Reviewed cases related to suspected unauthorised financial services businesses and regulatory oversight in the management of companies.
Cash Detention and Forfeiture Cases: Assessed civil cash detention and forfeiture cases, demonstrating a keen understanding of asset forfeiture intricacies and contributing significantly to combating financial crime.
Legal Support to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU): Prompt and precise reviews of individual Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) submissions and consent requests.
“There is a lot to take in but in collaboration with you, I feel we are going in the right direction.”
Michael’s Current Projects:
Michael’s expertise in crypto law enforcement is recognised in significant international projects.
The Government of the British Virgin Islands appointed Michael to its Legal Services Panel, to advise and represent the Government in a wide range of legal matters.
Michael’s expertise is also trusted by the Council of Europe’s Economic Crime and Cooperation Division (ECCD). The ECCD supports countries in the implementation of Council of Europe’s and other international anti-corruption and anti-money laundering standards.