Digital Assets
Compliance

Specialization

Digital Assets
Compliance

Specialization

The Digital Assets Compliance Specialization (DACS) is a comprehensive, multi-level learning program designed to equip financial crime compliance professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.

This program is intended to:

  • Introduce learners to the basics of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and their relevance to compliance.
  • Build on foundational knowledge by exploring regulatory developments, typologies, and real-world compliance challenges.
  • Prepare learners for compliance roles in digital asset environments through complex scenario analysis.
DACS equips professionals with essential expertise in financial crime compliance related to digital assets, making it especially beneficial for:
 
  • AML/CFT Compliance Officers
  • Crypto Compliance Professionals
  • Law Enforcement and Regulatory Staff
  • Financial Investigators
  • Professionals seeking training in digital assets

The program is designed to give learners complete freedom with no application, recertification or membership required.

TRAINING OPTIONS

The full program covers foundational principles, regulatory challenges, and advanced strategies for risk mitigation and oversight in the digital assets and crypto ecosystem. Learners seeking an introduction to digital assets and their financial crime risks can also choose to purchase the Foundations course on its own.

Green diploma with ribbon

DACS Specialization

What’s Included: Three online courses – Foundations, Intermediate and Advanced – combined into one learning journey

Duration: 7 hours

How You’ll Learn: Self-paced study featuring interactive learning elements, audio and visual content, real-world case studies, practical exercises and downloadable resources

What You’ll Earn: Certificate of completion, digital badge via Credly, and 7 credits

ACFCS Training Resources

Foundations Training

What’s Included: Foundations course (only) as a stand-alone training option, separate from the full specialization program

Duration: 2 hours

How You’ll Learn: Self-paced study featuring interactive learning elements, audio and visual content, real-world case studies, practical exercises and downloadable resources

What You’ll Earn: Certificate of completion and 2 credits

MEET THE DACS TASKFORCE

DACS is developed and maintained by a task force of industry experts - get to know some of them here:

Ervin Zubic, CFCS   

blockquiry

Founder

Joe Ciccolo   

BitAML

Founder & CEO

Smiling woman with long hair in a professional outfit against a plain background.

Larhee Bettis

Binance.US           

Transaction Monitoring Lead

Pamela Clegg

Ivix       

Vice President, Latin America

Professional headshot of a woman with dark hair and a neutral expression.

Rosie McWhorter, CFCS

Binance.US

BSA Officer

Urriolagoitia (Rio) Miner, CFCS

FCI Tradecraft

Founder & CEO

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Foundations

Foundations provides a great starting point for those new to the crypto and digital assets space, or those seeking a refresher. Through video instruction, case studies and interactive knowledge checks, you'll learn the basics of blockchain technologies, key players in the digital asset ecosystem, illicit finance challenges unique to digital assets and core compliance program elements, and key regulation and standards for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.

Best suited for:

·  Newcomers to crypto and digital assets

·  Compliance professionals from traditional finance – banks, broker dealers, credit unions, MSBs, etc.  

Delivery: Online, self-paced

Duration: 2 hours

Access: 1 year

Certificate: Certificate of Completion

Course Outline

  • Essentials in Plain English
    Quick intro to blockchain, cryptocurrency categories, and how transactions flow.
  • Who’s Who
    Meet the key players—exchanges, custodians, DeFi platforms, and the banks that connect crypto to fiat.
  • Why Compliance Matters
    AML, KYC, sanctions—what regulators expect and why reputations depend on it.
  • Crypto-Specific Risks
    Pseudonymous wallets, mixers, privacy coins, and chain-hopping tactics you must monitor.
  • Building a Program
    Risk-based controls, blockchain-analytics tools, Travel Rule, and reporting essentials.
  • Regulatory Snapshot
    FATF guidance plus highlights from the U.S., EU MiCA, and Singapore.
  • Next Steps & Resources
    Career tips, emerging trends (CBDCs, DeFi oversight), and links to further learning.

(Includes quizzes, case studies, and an assessment to cement learning. A score of 80% or higher is required to earn the certificate of completion.)

Intermediate

Intermediate is your comprehensive guide to understanding and managing financial crime risks in the digital assets space. Through video instruction, case studies and interactive knowledge checks, you’ll learn AML, fraud and sanctions evasion typologies in crypto and digital assets, the essentials of blockchain analytics and transaction tracing, key regulatory updates and standards, guidance on filing SARs/STRs on crypto transactions, and more.

Best suited for:

·  Compliance professionals in traditional finance with some knowledge of crypto

·  Crypto compliance professionals

·  Law enforcement

·  Regulators

Delivery: Online, self-paced

Duration: 3 hours

Access: 1 year

Certificate: Certificate of Completion

Course Outline

  • Global Rulebook
    FATF’s 2024 targeted update and the latest frameworks in the EU, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.—and how they shape compliance programs.
  • Typologies in Action
    Mixers, privacy-coin flows, chain-hopping, high-volume P2P transfers, and mule networks—plus the red flags that reveal them.
  • Web3 Compliance Risks
    DeFi platforms, NFTs, and non-custodial services—where the risks are and how to control them.
  • Forensics Toolkit
    Trace complex fund flows across chains using open-source explorers and proprietary analytics platforms.
  • Writing Crypto SARs/STRs
    Draft regulator-ready narratives that evidence blockchain data, highlight red flags, and meet reporting deadlines.
  • Case Study: Lessons Learned
    Unpack a recent high-profile enforcement case to identify control breakdowns and build stronger defenses.
(Includes quizzes, case studies, and an assessment to cement learning. A score of 80% or higher is required to earn the certificate of completion.)

Advanced

For those seeking a deeper dive into the fast-moving world of risk management in crypto and digital assets, Advanced offers in-depth instruction combined with practical exercises to reinforce learning. You’ll learn more complex laundering techniques and typologies used by illicit actors in crypto, emerging compliance challenges in the DeFi sector, how to trace transactions cross-chain, how to manage regulatory exams and audits related to digital assets, and more.

You’ll also engage in hands-on activities like a mock crypto investigation and risk assessment of a fictional crypto business to test your knowledge and skills.

Best suited for:

·  Compliance professionals in traditional finance with knowledge of crypto

·  Crypto compliance professionals

·  Law enforcement agents who conduct crypto investigations

·  Regulators and auditors in the crypto and digital assets industry

Delivery: Online, self-paced, office hours

Duration: 2 hours

Access: 1 year

Certificate: Certificate of Completion (and) Digital Badge

Course Outline

  • Global Regulatory & Enforcement Landscape
    Compare FATF updates and regional frameworks (EU, U.S., APAC). Identify regulatory “tells” like privacy coins, weak onboarding, and unlicensed VASPs that shape program design.
  • Typologies & Red Flags
    Examine laundering methods such as cross-chain activity, nested services, OTC brokers, mixers, and mule networks. Spot the key red flags behind each pattern.
  • Compliance in DeFi & Web3
    Assess risks in DEXs, DAOs, NFTs, and smart contracts. Explore controls for flash loans, yield farming, and other high-risk DeFi activity.
  • Blockchain Forensics
    Apply advanced tools and methods: wallet clustering, taint analysis, anomaly mapping, and contagion tracing to track illicit flows.
  • Enforcement Case Study
    Break down a recent high-profile case. Pinpoint control failures, regulator focus, and lessons for stronger frameworks.
  • Building Stronger Programs
    Design crypto-specific controls for mixers, cross-chain flows, and DeFi. Balance effectiveness, efficiency, and customer protection while meeting Travel Rule and reporting obligations.

(Includes quizzes, case studies, and an assessment to cement learning. A score of 80% or higher is required to earn the certificate of completion.)

COURSE PRICING

Use code DACS15 at checkout to get 15% off—offer valid through October 31!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is DACS eligible for continuing education credits?

Learners who complete the DACS specialization will receive 7 credits. Those who only complete the Foundations course as training will receive 2 credits.

How do I access the DACS course?

Learners will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to access the ACFCS member portal where the course can be accessed.

How long do I have access to DACS?

Learners will have access to DACS for 1 year from the date of purchase.

Does DACS include a proctored exam?

The DACS program does not include a proctored exam. Instead, learners demonstrate their knowledge and skills by completing all course content, including capstone exercises and assessments. These applied evaluations are designed to measure practical understanding and ensure meaningful mastery of the material, providing a rigorous and valuable learning experience without the need for a proctored test.

Why do I need to complete a placement assessment before starting the DACS program?

The placement assessment ensures that each learner starts DACS at the right level for their knowledge and experience. Those who demonstrate mastery of foundational concepts can skip the Foundations course and move directly into the Intermediate level, saving time while maintaining the program’s rigor and ensuring all learners build on a solid, consistent base.

When will I receive my badge after completing DACS?

Learners will receive their Credly badge one week after completing DACS. The certificate of completion will be downloadable directly from the DACS course in the member portal.

What if I am unable to complete DACS within the year?

Learners may extend their DACS course access for an additional 6 months at a cost of $100 per extension. There is no limit to the number of extensions that may be purchased.

Are there any requirements to maintain the DACS?

DACS does not require recertification or ongoing maintenance.

Could I still complete DACS if I purchase the Foundations training course separately?

Yes! Learners who purchase the Foundations training course separately will have the option to upgrade to DACS at a reduced rate. Learners who complete Foundations will receive a 20% discount on the member or non-member rate for DACS. Please contact Customer Support at customerservice@acfcs.org to upgrade.

Will I need to start from the beginning if I upgrade from Foundations to DACS?

Learners who complete the Foundations training course and later choose to upgrade to DACS will receive course credit for the Foundations course and will not need to complete the placement assessment.

What are the system requirements for the eLearning course?

The system requirements necessary to run our learning platform:

Operating System Requirements
Windows: Windows 10 or higher
macOS: The last two major releases
Linux: Most Linux distributions (ChromeOS is not tested)

Web Browser Support
Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari follow a continuous release policy, and the LMS supports the last two major versions of each of these browsers.

Safari on Windows is not supported
For Chrome in Incognito mode (version 83+), third-party cookies must be manually enabled

Mobile Device Support
Mobile Browsers: Only the latest two major versions are supported
Tablets: The platform supports Android tablets with 8" screens or larger and all Apple iPads
Mobile App (Go.Learn): Available for both iOS and Android devices

See What Certified Financial Crime Specialists Are Saying

"The CFCS tests the skills necessary to fight financial crime. It's comprehensive. Passing it should be considered a mark of high achievement, distinguishing qualified experts in this growing specialty area."

KENNETH E. BARDEN 

(JD, Washington)

"It's a vigorous exam. Anyone passing it should have a great sense of achievement."

DANIEL DWAIN

(CFCS, Official Superior

de Cumplimiento Cidel

Bank & Trust Inc. Nueva York)

"The exam tests one's ability to apply concepts in practical scenarios. Passing it can be a great asset for professionals in the converging disciplines of financial crime."

MORRIS GUY

(CFCS, Royal Band of

Canada, Montreal)

"The Exam is far-reaching. I love that the questions are scenario based. I recommend it to anyone in the financial crime detection and prevention profession."

BECKI LAPORTE

(CFCS, CAMS Lead Compliance

Trainer, FINRA, Member Regulation

Training, Washington, DC)

"This certification comes at a very ripe time. Professionals can no longer get away with having siloed knowledge. Compliance is all-encompassing and enterprise-driven."

KATYA HIROSE
CFCS, CAMS, CFE, CSAR
Director, Global Risk
& Investigation Practice
FTI Consulting, Los Angeles

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