A leaked Chainalysis video suggests that Monero transactions could be traceable despite the privacy-preserving nature of the blockchain.
Chainalysis has accidentally leaked a video on their tracking methods related to the Monero (XMR) token, which has since been deleted.
Chainalysis’ potential ability to track Monero transactions raises worrying concerns since Monero brands itself as the “secure, private, untraceable cryptocurrency that keeps your money confidential.”
When Cointelegraph approached the onchain intelligence firm about the leak, a Chainalysis spokesperson said that they “have no comment to share at this time.”
Leaked Monero tracking video. Source: Cointelegraph
A copy of the leaked Monero tracing video was shared by an anonymous source with Cointelegraph.
Leaked Monero tracking video. Source: Cointelegraph
Can Chainalysis track Monero IPs via its own “malicious nodes?”
Images of the leaked video re-emerged on the social media platform Reddit, posted by pseudonymous user _It_.
The user claims that the leaked video shows how Chainalysis is tracking Monero transactions back to 2021, through its own “malicious” Monero nodes. The user wrote:
“Run a large number of XMR nodes from various geographical locations and ISPs to capture transaction IP addresses and time stamps. Transaction feed (IP and everything) from one or more popular wallets’ default nodes…”
Combined with fake “decoy” inputs, this method can “reduce anonymity” around Monero transactions, claimed the user.
Screenshot from leaked Monero tracing video. Source: Cointelegraph
Cointelegraph approached Monero for comment.
