Bit2Me Creates a Subsidiary to Help Police Investigate Cryptocurrency Fraud

The creation of Bit2Shield by the Spanish crypto group Bit2Me marks a strategic expansion into the burgeoning field of blockchain forensics and legal-technical support. This new entity is designed to address a critical need within public administrations, investigative bodies, security forces, and financial institutions, which are increasingly encountering digital assets in judicial proceedings and economic or technological crime investigations. By consolidating services such as blockchain operation traceability analysis, technical assistance during interventions, expert report preparation, and institutional custody of crypto assets, Bit2Shield aims to streamline processes that previously required multiple specialized providers.

Bit2Shield's Core Services

Bit2Shield's operational scope is comprehensive, targeting both public and private sectors. For law enforcement, it offers crucial support during raids and interventions, including identifying and securing digital wallets, safeguarding seized cryptographic material, locating assets, and generating digitally signed expert reports. The company will also conduct forensic analysis and judicial expert appraisals, producing traceability reports for blockchain operations and ratifying conclusions in court, including Spain's Audiencia Nacional. Furthermore, Bit2Shield will manage seized digital assets through institutional custody services using multi-signature cold storage systems and assist in the liquidation of these assets, transferring converted funds to official public accounts. In the private sphere, the subsidiary will provide services to financial entities and institutional investors, such as certifying fund origins, analyzing crypto-related risk exposure, conducting audits, and detecting fraud network threats.

Adrián Maroño's Role

A key aspect of Bit2Shield's launch is the incorporation of Adrián Maroño, a former member of the Guardia Civil's Central Operative Unit (UCO), as the head of investigations. Maroño's background is specifically linked to the investigation of technological crimes and organized criminality, bringing invaluable practical experience to the new venture. His expertise is expected to be instrumental in developing the company's capabilities and ensuring its services are aligned with the real-world demands of law enforcement. Beyond direct investigative support, Bit2Shield also plans to develop training programs for police forces, members of the judiciary, and financial sector professionals. These programs will cover topics such as crypto asset intervention, operation traceability, and the European regulatory framework, further solidifying the company's role as an educational and operational bridge between blockchain technology and legal enforcement.

MiCA Regulation Context

The launch of Bit2Shield occurs within a landscape of increasing regulatory attention on the digital asset market, notably the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Bit2Me emphasizes that Bit2Shield's activities fall outside the regulatory perimeter of MiCA, as it does not act as a crypto-asset service provider itself. This distinction is crucial for its operational model, allowing it to focus on forensic and support services without directly engaging in the regulated activities of crypto exchanges or custodians. When an operation necessitates the conversion of digital assets to fiat currency, such as in the liquidation of seized goods, this function will be handled by Bitcoininforme SL, an entity authorized by Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) for such services. This structured approach ensures compliance while addressing the complex technical and legal requirements of crypto-related investigations.