In an era of technology advances and the increasing digitization, money and payment systems are undergoing profound transformations. Societies around the world are moving toward cashless economies, and the introduction and adoption of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are being actively explored worldwide. Meanwhile, emerging markets are shifting away from traditional Western banking models, adopting alternative payment systems often integrated with social media platforms. In addition, the rise of cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance platforms continues to challenge traditional financial institutions and their modi operandi.

While these innovations create new economic opportunities, they also pose significant risks across various dimensions. Global challenges such as tax evasion, sanctions avoidance, money laundering, and the use of digital assets for illicit activities – such as those conducted on the dark web – highlight the complexities involved in regulating and monitoring these systems.

Our research group applies a mixed methods approach drawing from fields such as network science, machine learning, or human computer interaction to better understand the structure, operation and dynamics of these new digital currency ecosystems. Our interdisciplinary work has two primary goals: first, we design and implement new measurement and modeling approaches to systematically assess the flow and usage of digital currencies in these systems. Second, we explore innovative approaches to ensuring the legality and compliance of these developments, without stifling their potential for innovation.