Q&A: Blockchain and Digital Assets Pro Bono Work

Jason, you’ve served as a testifying expert in recent pro bono matters. Can you share the background of one of these matters and why it was an important engagement for you and the team? 

Trager: I recently served as a testifying expert for a local district attorney’s office that was in need of expert testimony concerning cryptocurrency and activities on a blockchain. In an unfortunately all too common scenario, the victim had approximately $100,000 worth of bitcoin stolen from his account by malicious actors who had stolen his identity. The prosecutors were in need of an expert who could examine the events and explain the technology at a legal proceeding in a simple and understandable manner. This is a common need for local prosecutors and investigators who may not have the expertise necessary to move forward with cases involving digital assets.

This type of engagement was particularly important to me because I spent more than a decade as a prosecutor in New York City, and left as Chief of Cyber Crimes. Several other members of our team have backgrounds in law enforcement, and all of our investigators have assisted victims in investigating and litigating matters in which cryptocurrency was lost or stolen. We understand how difficult and complex these cases can be. It is an honor and privilege for us to use our expertise to assist those who are doing their best to obtain justice for victims. 

What was the outcome of that engagement?

Trager: This engagement has been an unmitigated success. I can’t provide complete details as there were several targets of the investigation, and some of it is still ongoing. However, I can say that the investigation has been completed, my testimony was successful and all of the alleged bad actors have been apprehended.

Emma, you have volunteered over the past year for The Life You Can Save, a nonprofit dedicated to funding charities fighting poverty. What was your involvement? 

Spencer: I’ve been able to bring my subject matter expertise in blockchain, web3 and digital assets to help The Life You Can Save assess safe ways to be involved in the digital asset and web3 space. Primarily, I’ve helped them identify and develop relationships with crypto-native organizations that have a philanthropic mission. With each donation a crypto partner makes to The Life You Can Save, I feel that I’m helping to make a meaningful difference in helping people who are suffering from poverty. 

Why is this cause important to you? 

Spencer: Having resources in a world where hundreds of thousands of people die from preventable causes is like having a superpower. I believe we have a moral responsibility to use our power to help those who require aid to survive. I love supporting The Life You Can Save because they work to make it easy to identify charities that are truly saving lives, and I know my contributions have an impact. 

Jimmy, what can you share about how the team selects pro bono work and the types of projects the team is looking to take on this year?

Johnson: Similar to the matter Jason supported, we have many experts with law enforcement and government backgrounds, making it a good fit for us to take on investigative work, expert testimony and engagements that support resource-strapped prosecution and law enforcement entities. Given the wide range of our team’s expertise and corporate citizenship interests, we’re particularly interested in work that involves blockchain development, compliance work for nonprofits and worthy organizations that require guidance around regulatory policy. 

What are the qualifications and circumstances for accepting a pro bono client?

Johnson: FTI Consulting has a robust framework for pro bono work and corporate citizenship activity. To qualify as a pro bono client, an organization must be not-for-profit and engaged in a cause that aligns with FTI Consulting’s core values. So, this includes avoiding exclusionary causes or those that might be political in nature. Additionally, the engagement cannot be a vehicle for securing future paid work and must clear a review for potential conflicts with existing work. 

Spencer: All prospective pro bono clients are considered through the lens of whether they are contributing to the greater good. We tend to be highly focused on humanitarian and environmental causes. 

Across the team more broadly, what are some of the additional motivating factors for taking on pro bono projects?

Trager: Blockchain, crypto and DeFi technology is reshaping the world we live in. FTI Technology’s Blockchain & Digital Assets practice is uniquely situated to use our expertise to serve the community and create a robust ecosystem for digital assets. By assisting non-profits like The Life You Can Save, we help an amazing cause streamline funding and assist in demonstrating how decentralized technology can assist similar organizations. When we assist local law enforcement in a prosecution, we get to help victims obtain a measure of justice and do our part in keeping the crypto community safe from bad actors who prey on innocent individuals or attempt to use the technology for illicit reasons. As the value of digital assets rises and more and more people engage with cryptocurrency, these kinds of public-private partnerships are imperative, to help keep users safe and the ecosystem strong. 

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The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting, its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals.