As Blockchain Innovates, Brazil’s CyberGAECO Battles Its Shadow Side

Rio’s Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPRJ) has launched CyberGAECO, a specialized task force under the Grupo de Atuação Especial de Combate ao Crime Organizado (GAECO), to address the surge in cybercrime and cryptocurrency-related offenses. Established via Resolution GPGJ nº 2.740 on September 15, 2025, the unit aims to dismantle organized cybercriminal networks leveraging blockchain technology, dark web platforms, and digital anonymity tools. Prosecutor General Antonio José Campos Moreira emphasized the initiative’s alignment with global enforcement trends, as cyber-enabled crimes expand in tandem with society’s reliance on digital systemsRio Prosecutors Launch CyberGAECO To Fight Crypto Crime^[1].

CyberGAECO’s mandate includes intelligence operations, judicial actions, asset recovery, and coordination with domestic and international entities to combat money laundering, ransomware attacks, phishing, and the financing of organized crime through cryptocurrencies. The unit will prioritize dismantling dark web networks and tracing illicit crypto transactions, with a focus on acquiring advanced technological tools and forging partnerships with public agencies and private stakeholdersMP do Rio vai rastrear criptomoedas com nova divisão específica^[2]. Notably, the MPRJ already deployed a crypto-tracking tool in August 2025, signaling a strategic shift toward proactive digital crime preventionCyberGAECO: MP cria núcleo com atribuição de rastrear …^[3].

The initiative reflects Brazil’s growing recognition of blockchain’s dual role in financial innovation and criminal activity. The resolution cites the “evolution of technological tools enabling anonymity and untraceable transactions” as a key driver of cybercrime proliferationMP do Rio lança divisão ESPECIALIZADA para RASTREAR …^[4]. CyberGAECO’s scope extends beyond cryptocurrencies, addressing broader cyber threats, but its explicit focus on crypto-fueled offenses underscores the sector’s vulnerability to exploitation. The unit’s ability to collaborate with private entities, including exchanges, raises implications for regulatory oversight in the crypto industry.

Global enforcement agencies increasingly rely on specialized cyber units to counter financial crimes linked to digital assets. CyberGAECO’s establishment positions Rio’s prosecutors at the forefront of this trend, aligning with efforts by international bodies to standardize cross-border cooperation in combating crypto-related crimeRio Prosecutors Launch CyberGAECO To Fight Crypto Crime^[1]. The unit’s emphasis on asset recovery and institutional policy development further highlights its role in reinforcing legal frameworks for digital crime preventionMP do Rio vai rastrear criptomoedas com nova divisão específica^[2].

While cryptocurrency trading remains legal in Brazil, the MPRJ clarified that individuals engaging in cyberattacks, ransomware, or phishing using digital assets face heightened scrutiny. The press release stressed that routine crypto transactions do not automatically attract investigation, but criminal misuse—such as laundering or financing illicit activities—will be prioritizedMP do Rio lança divisão ESPECIALIZADA para RASTREAR …^[4]. This distinction underscores the unit’s focus on targeting criminal conduct rather than stifling legitimate financial innovation.

The creation of CyberGAECO follows broader regulatory developments in Brazil’s crypto ecosystem, including the 2022 framework for digital assets and recent central bank guidelines on stablecoins. Analysts note that the unit’s success will depend on its capacity to integrate real-time data analytics and collaborate with global counterparts, as cybercriminal networks often operate across jurisdictionsRio Prosecutors Launch CyberGAECO To Fight Crypto Crime^[1]. The initiative also aligns with the Brazilian government’s push to enhance digital governance amid rising global demand for blockchain-based solutions.