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Much recent policy discourse has pivoted on the relationship between terrorist campaigns and an emergent feature of the global financial landscape in the form of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are a subset of digital currencies that are distributed by the developers thereof. The various unique features of cryptocurrencies have led to discussion in punditry about how terrorists could benefit from this new mode of financial transaction but few policy-oriented works and scholarly assessments exist to outline and assess this claim. This article describes cryptocurrencies, and assesses them in line with the operational realities of terrorist campaigns. I argue that, while there is limited evidence that terrorists are likely to disproportionately benefit from use of cryptocurrencies at present, there do exist unique opportunities for money laundering and revenue generation.

Terrorist organizations increasingly resort to the Internet to promote terrorism, recruit new terrorists, plan and finance their operations. The paper first proposes a definition of terrorism, cyberterrorism, and online terrorism preparatory acts. It then analyses whether current binding international instruments on terrorism, organized crime or cybercrime could prohibit cyber activities precursor of terrorism. The paper concludes that there is no gap in international law that leaves online terrorism related acts completely unregulated. It nevertheless recommends the drafting of an international treaty that would respond more comprehensively, precisely and thus efficiently to the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes.

VOX-Pol Blog post.

VOX-Pol Blog post.

VOX-Pol Blog post.

VOX-Pol Blog post.