Illicit financial flows (IFFs) are not just a byproduct of crime – they are a structural enabler of corruption, illicit trade, and institutional fragility.

Illicit activities in the electronic environment can no longer be considered non-traditional. Instead, the digital space has evolved into an environment where illicit actors can operate more comfortably and with a greater sense of security over longer periods of time.

Illicit trade affects all dimensions of contemporary societies, from economic stability and consumer safety to environmental sustainability and security governance. While often discussed in relation to drugs, weapons or human trafficking, illicit trade is increasingly embedded in everyday consumption patterns, particularly through cross-border e-commerce.

Cryptocurrencies are often celebrated as engines of innovation, tools that democratize finance, enhance transparency, and support new economic opportunities.

The Balkan Peninsula is a natural geographical bridge between Asia, Africa and Europe and therefore has significant geographical, historical, political, military-strategic and economic significance.

Ethereum, one of the most widely used blockchains, which supports over a million transactions per day and often sees over 200,000 newly deployed  smart contracts in a day. Alongside this success, it has also become a target for scams, Ponzi schemes, phishing attempts, and fraudulent ICOs.