ASF trains “crypto fraud hunters”: How much it pays for 100 employees, sent to blockchain and cryptoassets courses
The Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) recently concluded several contracts for the training of employees in areas such as blockchain, cryptoassets and digital investigations, the total value of the purchases exceeding 25,300 euros (without VAT), according to data from the Electronic System of Public Procurement (SEAP).
ASF is the public institution in Romania that regulates and controls the insurance markets, private pensions and the stock exchange, with the role of protecting consumers and ensuring the stability of these sectors.
Almost 100 ASF employees enter the “blockchain era”
In total, almost 100 ASF employees will participate in specialized courses organized by the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI Bucharest).
The programs cover current topics such as:
- blockchain investigations (not analysis of transactions on networks like Bitcoin or Ethereum)
- cryptoasset analysis (a broad category of digital assets that use cryptography for security and typically operate on a blockchain-type network. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are a type of cryptoasset)
- digital investigations
- cyber security
- compliance and regulation (including MiCA – EU Crypto-asset Market Regulation)
These courses come in the context of the increasing interest of the authorities in monitoring the crypto market and combating digital fraud.
The most recent contract: over 3,000 euros for 8 employees
On March 17, 2026, ASF signed a contract worth 15,288 lei (without VAT), for the training of 8 employees in the field of blockchain investigations. It is basically the analysis of transactions and activities that take place on blockchain networks (such as Bitcoin or Ethereum) to identify fraud, money laundering or other illegal activities.
The courses are divided into three modules:
- Blockchain Intelligence for Law Enforcement (2 participants)
- Blockchain Intelligence for Finance & Banking (3 participants)
- Advanced Blockchain Intelligence (3 participants)
The courses will be held between March 23 and April 1, 2026.
Participants can obtain certifications such as: Certified Blockchain Intelligence Specialist (CBIS) and Advanced Blockchain Intelligence Specialist (ABIS).
Previous contract: 19 employees trained in February and March
Another contract, signed on February 17, 2026, aims to train 19 employees, at a cost without VAT of 22,620 lei (around 4,500 euros).
The program includes five modules, from introductory to advanced level, such as:
- blockchain basics
- application of the European MiCA regulation
- blockchain investigations and financial analysis
The courses are held in two sessions: one session was in February 2026 and one session will take place this month.
The largest program: 69 employees and over 90,000 lei
The largest training contract concerned 69 ASF employees, for which the institution paid 90,260 lei (without VAT), the equivalent of approximately 17,800 euros.
This program included five progressive modules and covered the entire chain of required skills: from introduction to blockchain to advanced investigations and complex analysis of crypto transactions.
Who organizes the courses
The courses are delivered by the Blockchain Intelligence Academy (BIA), which operates within the Crypto-Assets Investigation and Compliance Center (CICC), a joint initiative of ICI Bucharest and ChainArgos.
Among the trainers are also international specialists, such as Patrick Tan, blockchain specialist at ChainArgos, with experience in the fields of regulation and blockchain analysis.
Cryptocurrencies have become an extremely valuable asset for criminals because they are liquid, easy to transfer, and once a transaction is made, it is nearly impossible to undo.
Digital fraud risks have become increasingly sophisticated, and the European Union is implementing strict rules through the MiCA regulation.
