If your spouse has cryptocurrency and you're heading into a divorce, you can leave a fortune on the table without even knowing it … and your lawyer might not be much help! Certified fraud investigator and cryptocurrency forensics expert Chris Groshong breaks down how digital assets like Bitcoin can be hidden, and more importantly, how they can be found. From blockchain's permanent transaction record to the hardware wallets that look deceptively like USB thumb drives, he explains what clues to look for and why they matter.
In this podcast episode, we dive into the practical mechanics of uncovering hidden crypto: what questions to ask your spouse in discovery, how to subpoena Apple and Google for app download histories, and why a simple screenshot of a wallet balance is about as trustworthy as a picture of a bank account balance on a bad day.
Chris also explains the difference between crypto held on a centralized exchange versus crypto held in self-custodied wallets. (That distinction dramatically affects how easy [or impossible] it is to track.)
Perhaps most surprisingly, the discussion reveals that finding the crypto is only half the battle. Deciding what to do with it (i.e. how to divide crypto in divorce) is just as important. Should you take the dollars or keep the crypto? The answer depends on the crypto’s tax basis, market timing, and your risk tolerance in holding a volatile asset that has historically gone from pennies to $100,000.
If you or your spouse has any kind of cryptocurrency (or you’re not sure if you do!) this is a podcast episode you’re not going to want to miss.
About Chris
Chris Groshong is a Certified Fraud Investigator (CFI) and a leading expert in cryptocurrency forensics and blockchain compliance. With over a decade of experience in the crypto industry, he specializes in uncovering hidden digital assets in complex legal matters, including high-asset divorce cases, bankruptcy, and fraud investigations.
He is a member of the CFCIA (California Financial Crimes Investigators Association), Government Blockchain Association, The Chamber of Digital Commerce, and has served as an Expert Witness in a Federal fraud case involving Bitcoin and Monero. He also has a public-private partnership with the FBI through Infragard.
Connect with Chris
You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn at Chris Groshong and on Facebook at Coinstructive. You can follow Chris on YouTube at Coinstructive. To learn more about how to work with Chris, visit his website at Coinstructive.
Find assistance for Crypto Fraud
Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.
You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.
