Uppsala Security, known for its innovative tools and services in crypto AML/CTF, transaction risk management, regulatory compliance, transaction tracking, and cybersecurity, has announced a strategic partnership with AhnLab Blockchain Company. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on April 30, 2024, focuses on collaborating on next-generation virtual asset anti-money laundering (AML) security technology. This alliance aims to fortify virtual asset security for institutions, companies, and individual users in South Korea, addressing the growing incidence of virtual asset-related damages. The collaboration will bolster efforts in developing virtual asset threat intelligence data, analyzing incidents, conducting research and development, and creating AI-driven blockchain threat defense and detection technologies.
Launching Advanced AML Services
Uppsala Security, in conjunction with AhnLab Blockchain Company, has announced plans to introduce an advanced virtual asset AML service by July this year. This service will cover the entire spectrum from preventing hacking damages to post-incident reporting, complaint filing, asset recovery, and money laundering analysis. It will utilize Uppsala Security’s extensive threat data collected by the Crypto Incident Response Center (CIRC) and integrate it with AhnLab Blockchain Company’s advanced blockchain intelligence services, including ‘BICScan’ and ‘ABC Wallet’.
BICScan, a blockchain intelligence service developed by AhnLab Blockchain Company, is designed to identify potential threats such as fraud, phishing, and scams associated with Web3 wallet addresses, smart contract addresses, and DApp URLs. ABC Wallet, another product from AhnLab, combines advanced security technology to provide a secure and user-friendly Web3 wallet service. By merging these extensive data resources with Uppsala Security’s verified data, the technology is expected to gain a significant advantage in the domestic AML sector. Furthermore, AhnLab Blockchain Company will focus on prevention to reduce the number of virtual asset victims in South Korea and will support rapid asset tracking and recovery in collaboration with Uppsala Security in cases of asset theft and other incidents involving personal wallet use.
Strengthening Virtual Asset Incident Response
Uppsala Security operates a virtual asset response center that has assisted over 2,000 domestic victims with combined losses nearing 1 trillion KRW (approximately 770 million USD), successfully recovering hundreds of billions of KRW. This extensive experience has enabled Uppsala Security to accumulate substantial empirical data and expertise in virtual asset crime and anomaly analysis, significantly enhancing its capabilities in virtual asset analysis.
Patrick Kim, CEO of Uppsala Security, highlighted the limitations of existing virtual asset AML services, particularly due to the anonymity inherent in blockchain technology, which poses even greater challenges when applied to Web3 services. He noted that the collaboration between Uppsala Security and AhnLab Blockchain Company aims to overcome these limitations, introduce a new paradigm for protecting Web3 users, and enhance virtual asset AML technology for rapid market deployment. This joint effort is expected to usher in a new era of second-generation AML services, providing detailed insights into the identities and motivations behind these activities from a nuanced security threat perspective.
Strategic Partnership and Future Prospects
This strategic partnership is set to enhance the capabilities of both companies in detecting and mitigating risks associated with virtual asset transactions, positioning AhnLab as a leader in South Korea’s blockchain security sector. It aims to ensure a safer digital environment for both institutions and individual users.
Sukkyoon Kang, CEO of AhnLab Blockchain Company, emphasized that the collaboration with Uppsala Security represents a significant shift away from reliance on foreign AML solutions. He expressed confidence that the partnership would enhance the security of virtual assets for domestic users by integrating richer data and advanced AI technology. This collaboration aims to support proactive prevention, extend post-incident measures, and ensure comprehensive protection and a safer transaction environment for users.
Conclusion
The partnership between Uppsala Security and AhnLab Blockchain Company is poised to revolutionize virtual asset security in South Korea. By combining their strengths in blockchain intelligence and AML technology, they aim to create a more secure and transparent environment for virtual asset transactions. This initiative reflects a broader effort to address the challenges posed by the increasing scale of virtual asset damages and to provide innovative solutions that enhance the overall security landscape.