Why OpSec and OSINT Are Critical for Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts
It has been more than 8 years since I entered cryptocurrencies. Back then, we all considered us to be participants in a ‘Wild West 2.0’ kinda world, an unregulated industry with lots of scams, grifters and straight-up high-level criminal activity.
This is still the case in 2025. People are losing crypto-assets worth billions of dollars, every year, to fraudulent projects / companies, phishing scams, rug pulls, malware,... it is truly a minefield of risks out there.
That’s why Operational Security (OpSec) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) are not just useful, but absolutely essential for anyone who wants to protect his crypto wealth as well as his privacy. No matter if seasoned crypto degen or curious newcomer - mastering these skills will make the difference over the years.
My upcoming ‘OpSec and OSINT Guide for Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts’ will teach you about both disciplines and different tools to use, but let’s explore why these practices matter so much first!
The Stakes in Cryptocurrency: Why Protection Matters
Cryptocurrencies are decentralized. Or, well, that was originally the thought, the grade of decentralization varies between different coins and tokens, but this is not the topic now. However, the fact is that transactions are irreversible, there is no bank that you can call to reverse a transaction that went wrong.
Centralized exchanges? Often victims of hacks and / or data breaches. Self-custody wallets? Just as good as your sense for security, i.e. for storing the seed phrase. Active on social media? In crypto, it is full of con-artists and scammers, who try to social engineer their victims, tricking them out of their crypto.
A single mistake can lead to devastating financial and personal consequences. OpSec and OSINT offer you proactive ways to shield yourself from these threats.
OpSec: Safeguarding Your Crypto Journey
In the context of cryptocurrencies, OpSec is about protecting your assets as well as your digital footprint through discipline and certain habits. It all starts with basics like:
Never store your private keys online
Use hardware wallets for significant holdings
Avoid oversharing on social media, i.e. successful trades or wallet balances
Use VPNs, secure browsers and encrypted messaging apps
Activate 2-FA everywhere, have secure passwords
There are people out there who have lots of funds on a centralized exchange, no 2-FA activated, while using a password that they also use on other platforms - what could go wrong?!
My upcoming guide will provide step-by-step strategies to lock down your crypto life, tailored for users at any level, no matter if you are a newbie or a seasoned OG.
OSINT: Staying Ahead of Threats
While OpSec is your shield, OSINT is your sword, as this discipline empowers you to spot threats before falling for them. OSINT involves gathering and analyzing any publicly available information on individuals, projects, companies, software, [...] in order to spot scams before they strike.
I am personally always surprised when people fall for the same serial-scammers multiple times. Even when it is ‘common knowledge’ that somebody is a con-artist, when there are articles including proof available, many people aren’t aware of it, because, well - they simply didn’t bother to do their research; my guide will teach you how to wield OSINT tools effectively, as I have a long history in this regard.
Conclusion: Empowering Crypto Enthusiasts
In a decentralized world that offers you more freedom, your security is your responsibility. OpSec and OSINT skills are not ‘optional’, they are not just ‘nice-to-have’, but absolutely crucial in order to not get rekt. While there is never 100% protection, and humans make mistakes, it reduces the risks drastically.
By applying disciplined security practices and leveraging OSINT, you can protect your crypto-assets, preserve your privacy, and navigate the crypto ecosystem without having fear of getting scammed. Don’t wait for a costly lesson to act, pre-order my guide now!