For good or for ill, crypto continues to make global headlines. While cryptocurrencies have been accepted into Exchange Traded Funds, there have also been high profile arrests of crypto tycoons like Sam Bankman Fried and CZ Zhao. In this episode, we delve into the complex world of cryptocurrencies and their potential threats to national security. FIU’s Mike Asencio sits down with Leland to explore how the anonymity and decentralization of digital currencies can facilitate illicit activities, from money laundering to funding terrorism, posing significant challenges to law enforcement and global security. Tune in to understand the true costs of crypto.

Mike Asencio serves as Program Director of Cybersecurity at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy. In this role, he manages a statewide cybersecurity for executive leadership professional education program (CyberSecureFlorida Training Initiative), an initiative funded by Cyber Florida. His primary focus areas encompass AI, cybersecurity, cyber infrastructure resiliency, cyber safety, and public policy in cyber, reflecting his commitment to safeguarding digital landscapes.