business
Chainalysis Publishes Proposed Blockchain Analytics Ontology After Limited External Review
Chainalysis released a proposed ontology on June 29, 2026, to define standards for tracing crypto address clusters. The document draws on the firm's work in a 2024 money laundering trial. Chief scientist Jacob Illum said the goal is to begin industry discussion on methodology.
CoinDeskAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Chainalysis published a proposed ontology for blockchain analytics work on June 29, 2026. The document outlines how investigators can break down clusters of addresses into components such as wallet segments used as deposit or change addresses. The ontology uses a two-tier structure.
The first tier defines the structural graph of linked addresses. The second tier assesses confidence levels in that graph, CoinDesk reported. Chainalysis shaped the proposal from its experience in the U.S.
Department of Justice case against Roman Sterlingov. Sterlingov, co-founder of Bitcoin Fog, was convicted on money laundering charges in 2024. Judge Randolph Moss ruled that substantial evidence supports the government's submission that Chainalysis' Reactor software is highly reliable.
Jacob Illum, the company's chief scientist, said the ontology is intended to start a conversation about blockchain analytics standards. He noted that Chainalysis has not actively solicited much feedback beyond initial discussions with law enforcement groups. Illum also stated that Chainalysis cannot identify the actual end user of a wallet without additional information.
He said the science of the wallet must stand on its own because it is supported by the blockchain. Illum added that stepping away from independent scrutiny of methodologies is a clear danger sign.
