Many believe that bitcoin is completely anonymous. However, with forensic analysis, it is very likely that any Bitcoin address used in a transaction can be traced. This means that Bitcoin transactions are actually pseudo-anonymous. However, Bitcoin wallet addresses alone do not reveal any identifiable details.
Since there is no address registration, you need to implement creative tactics and “think outside the blockchain to discover an address owner. Bitcoin doesn’t store any real-world identities, but it’s perfectly possible to track bitcoin addresses to find real-world identities. Some online services called mixing services offer to mix traceability between users by receiving and sending the same amount using separate Bitcoin addresses. Addresses on the bitcoin blockchain can be accessed by the public, so anyone can find your bitcoin address and trace it back to you.
Hosted wallets store Bitcoin addresses and IP addresses on their servers and are known to leak information to third parties. Researching bitcoin transactions requires you to be able to interpret charts, as you must know how to study numerous charts and graphs. The lack of an adequate tool to recognize crime patterns in bitcoin transactions encourages cybercriminals. Since the Bitcoin network is a peer-to-peer network, it is possible to listen to transactional retransmissions and record their IP addresses.
In fact, Bitcoin is very effective at catching criminals because it shows a whole pattern of criminal history rather than an instance. The use of unknown currencies helps criminals to a point, as they eventually need to convert their cryptocurrency into bitcoin. Considering the principles and protocols of the bitcoin blockchain, setting up thousands of wallets on the platform is an undemanding task for many. Despite bitcoin’s anonymity protocols, it is possible to trace bitcoin addresses using legal analysis.
Criminals proceed to transfer the damaged bitcoins to other accounts, hiding traces of their money laundering activities. Once clueless on how to catch bitcoin criminals, police and regulators now have years of experience investigating cryptocurrencies. As for tracking the attacker through his bitcoin address, I’m sorry to say, but most likely it won’t be possible.
