A Survey on Crypto-Asset Mixers and Countermeasures

초록

Since the introduction of Bitcoin, many malicious parties have used crypto-assets to launder money. To counteract such activities, law enforcement disrupted money laundering attempts by leveraging the traceable nature of the blockchain that comprises crypto-assets. However, those attempts have evolved by incorporating mixing techniques (i.e., mixers or tumblers) that were originally introduced to enhance the privacy of blockchain transactions. While government officials are prohibiting and sanctioning some mixing services for mitigation, the role and implications of these techniques remain a topic of ongoing debate. Regarding the context of this debate, we survey existing mixing techniques, including research works and services, and categorize them employing concrete characteristics that distinguish different types of mixers. Furthermore, we examine the legal and technical measures put in place to mitigate the use of mixing techniques for money laundering. Based on the review, we identify deficiencies in existing mixing techniques and their countermeasures, as well as potential solutions and future research directions.

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