J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.


More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including, 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.


J.S. Held LLC

New Row

Contact expert @[Full Name](fullname), @[Job Title](job_title) at @[Organization](organization) for media, speaking, professional opportunities and more.

@[Full Name](fullname) at @[Organization](organization) | Contact Form

Expert Inquiry

Open Sans

 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners : Advisory Council · Aug 2012 - Present

INDEPTH FEATURE: Anti-Money Laundering 2024

Certified Bitcoin Professional

Certified Fraud Examiner

JP Brennan, the Global Head of Fintech, Payments, Crypto Compliance and Investigations at J.S. Held, is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in forensic accounting, auditing, litigation consulting, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, cryptocurrency regulatory compliance, OFAC/sanctions review, and complex enhanced and operational due diligence. His in-depth understanding of the regulatory framework and financial crime compliance issues faced by FinTech companies makes him a sought-after expert in the industry.

With a strong background in providing complex forensic accounting and financial fraud investigative services, cryptocurrency asset/wallet tracing, development and implementation of AML programs, outsourced Chief Compliance Officer services, and managed services for large-scale remediation and compliance projects, Brennan has established himself as a trusted advisor to a diverse range of clients. These include major law firms, cryptocurrency exchanges (centralized/decentralized), digital asset issuers, custodians, multinational banks, funds, payment processors, financial institutions, and investors.

Brennan has been involved in several high-profile matters, such as the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities investigation, Lehman Brothers bankruptcy investigation, Caesars Entertainment Operating Corp. examiner report, Bank of New York-Mellon compliance monitorship, Quadriga CX crypto asset tracing, and LUNA Foundation Guard crypto asset tracing. His expertise spans various areas, including AML, compliance, investigations, financial crime, fraud, asset tracing (both crypto and traditional), money services businesses (MSBs), operational due diligence, Cryptocurrency Security Standard (CCSS), KYC/onboarding, and managed/outsourced services.

As a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and a Certified Bitcoin Professional, Brennan remains at the forefront of his field, continually expanding his knowledge and expertise to better serve his clients in the rapidly evolving fintech, payments, and cryptocurrency landscape.

Managed / Outsourced Services

Cryptocurrency Security Standard (CCSS)

Money Services Business (MSBs)

Fraud

Investigations

Anti-money Laundering (AML)

Compliance

Financial Crime

Asset Tracing

Operational Due Diligence

KYC / Onboarding

English

J.S. Held LLC Profile

Investigations in th Crypto Currency World

Challenges & Risks in Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Investigations

crypto-digital-assets-global-risks-opportunities-in-2025

J.P. Brennan, Global Head of Fintech, Payments, Crypto Compliance and Investigations

Senior Managing Director | Global Head FinTech

The adoption of cryptocurrency and digital assets is expected to increase in all forms this year given the pro-crypto stance of the new Trump administration. Traditional financial institutions and fintech companies are bringing cryptocurrencies to their customers and searching for regulatory and legal clarity.

In the video below, J.P. Brennan, Global Head of Fintech, Payments, Crypto Compliance and Investigations, discusses crypto and digital asset risks and opportunities covered in the 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report.

 

 To view the report and learn more about crypto and digital asset risks and opportunities  click on the button below:

 Looking to know more or connect with J.P. Brennan about the adoption of cryptocurrency and digital assets? Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.


Crypto & Digital Assets: Global Risks & Opportunities in 2025

js-held-experts-examine-cryptos-pitfalls-and-potential

The J.S. Held 2025 Global Risk Report explores unprecedented growth in the cryptocurrency market among rising risks.

The global cryptocurrency market has surged to a staggering USD 3.4 trillion. However, alongside this rapid expansion, significant challenges and risks continue to emerge. The J.S. Held 2025 Global Risk Report examines the evolving landscape of crypto and digital assets, highlighting both the potential and the pitfalls of this dynamic sector.

 The explosion of cryptocurrency adoption across industries—from gaming to decentralized finance (DeFi)—has led to increased regulatory scrutiny and security concerns. With the expected growth in the number of users to exceed 107.3 million in the market by 2025, every sector is looking at what crypto and this blockchain technology can do to transform their business.  Even the gaming industry has entered the crypto space with bridging services offering “Play-to-Earn” (P2E) games.

While anonymity remains a key feature in both the risk and success of cryptocurrency, the concept of “Know Your Customer” on centralized platforms is still required but continues to evolve because not all anonymity is evil. 

Despite regulatory, environmental, geopolitical, and other business risks, the J.S. Held 2025 Global Risk Report reveals how the crypto industry continues to evolve, offering new opportunities for businesses and investors around:

Enhanced Transparency & Security Regulatory Clarity Education & Compliance Digital Identity Solutions  “With regulatory frameworks tightening globally—from the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) law to China’s outright ban—the future of crypto remains at a critical inflection point,” observes J.P. Brennan, Global Head of Fintech, Payments, Crypto Compliance and Investigations at J.S. Held. “As the industry matures, the balance between risk mitigation and innovation will shape the next phase of digital asset adoption,” J.P. Brennan adds.  J.P. Brennan examines the crypto risks and opportunities outlined in the 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report in this video: 

 Cryptocurrency and digital asset risk is just one of the five key areas analyzed in the J.S. Held 2025 Global Risk Report. Other topics include sustainability, supply chain, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data regulations, and managing cyber risk.

If you have any questions or would like to further discuss the risks and opportunities outlined in the report, please email GlobalRiskReport@jsheld.com. To connect with J.P. Brennan, simply click on his icon now.

For any other media inquiries - contact :

Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held
+1 786 833 4864
Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com 


J.S. Held Experts Examine Crypto’s Pitfalls and Potential

Select Inquiry Type