Christopher Wong, a renowned former FBI Supervisory Special Agent with extensive experience in cryptocurrency investigations, has been appointed as a global investigator at TRM Labs, a leading blockchain intelligence firm. According to Ari Redbord, TRM Labs' global head of policy, "Chris stands out as one of the most skilled and respected investigators globally, and his presence inspires his colleagues to strive for excellence. Throughout his career, he has been an integral part of elite teams, and we are excited to have him bring his exceptional expertise to our mission." During his decade-long tenure at the FBI, Wong was instrumental in several high-profile cryptocurrency crime cases. Notably, he co-led the investigation into the 2016 Bitfinex hack, resulting in the largest cryptocurrency seizure in US history, valued at $3.6 billion.
Wong also played a pivotal role in investigating the $600 million Axie Infinity Ronin Bridge breach, which was linked to North Korea's Lazarus Group. This incident led to the first US sanctions on cryptocurrency mixing services and significantly influenced how US agencies respond to cryptocurrency-related cyber threats.
One of Wong's most recent notable cases with the FBI involved tracking $7.7 million in cryptocurrency tied to North Korea's IT worker laundering schemes. His efforts uncovered how operatives created fake identities to secure jobs in the global tech industry and then funneled their earnings back to Pyongyang. As a global investigator at TRM Labs, Wong aims to disrupt illicit cryptocurrency activities. Redbord expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I look forward to learning from Chris as he collaborates with our clients and partners to prevent illicit actors from exploiting cutting-edge technologies."