{"id":12704,"date":"2026-09-14T00:36:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T22:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paucitas.com\/questions\/how-long-does-a-crypto-investigation-take\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T01:12:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T23:12:15","slug":"how-long-does-a-crypto-investigation-take","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/paucitas.com\/en\/questions\/how-long-does-a-crypto-investigation-take\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does a crypto investigation take?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2190<\/span>Back to Questions<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

How long does a crypto investigation take?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n

By R.T. (Tyler) Dijst<\/a>, blockchain investigator at Paucitas<\/p>\n

A Paucitas investigation takes between one working day and roughly two weeks, depending on the size of the file and the urgency. A regular investigation is usually ready within three working days. You hear the lead time in the engagement confirmation, not afterwards.<\/div>\n

Lead time per type of crypto investigation<\/h2>\n

An origin investigation for a bank or the tax authority is usually ready within three working days; with many transactions or several wallets that rises to about two weeks. A fraud investigation after a scam follows the same line: one working day to roughly two weeks, depending on how many steps have to be followed.<\/p>\n

A second opinion<\/a> on an existing report is usually quicker, because the material is already there. A report for proceedings takes longer when the question still has to be sharpened with your lawyer. Address monitoring is not an investigation with an end date but a period you set yourself.<\/p>\n

What drives the lead time<\/h2>\n

The number of transactions and wallets, whether the history is complete, the number of chains and bridges used, and whether research in public sources is needed alongside the blockchain data. Missing exports are in practice the biggest delay.<\/p>\n

What you receive<\/h2>\n

A lead time stated up front in the engagement confirmation, and notice as soon as it comes under pressure. If a deadline is running in proceedings, say so at the intake; we plan around it.<\/p>\n

We would rather deliver a report that is right a day late than one on time with an unproven step in it.<\/p>\n

How to get started<\/h2>\n

At the intake, name the date that matters to you. In that conversation you will hear whether it is achievable.<\/p>\n

European supervisors publish background on crypto assets and the rules that apply to them: see ESMA<\/a> and EBA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lead times are an estimate based on what is known at the intake. If the file turns out to be larger along the way, you will hear that with a fresh estimate.<\/p>\n

Further reading<\/strong><\/p>\n