Former F.B.I. Forensic Accountant Katherine Hou joins TRM Labs as a Senior Financial Intelligence Investigator

San Francisco - TRM Labs, the leading provider of crypto anti-money laundering (AML) and investigation software, is pleased to announce that Katherine Hou has joined the TRM team as a Senior Financial Intelligence Investigator, bringing her expertise in cryptocurrency investigations and forensic accounting to the next generation blockchain intelligence company.

Ms. Hou brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in investigating financial crime cases including expertise in using blockchain analytics to track and stop cybercriminal organizations, rogue nation states, and other bad actors from engaging in illicit activity using cryptocurrency. Previously, Ms. Hou worked as a Forensic Accountant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tracing funds, including cryptocurrency and digital currency, for counterterrorism, sanctions evasion, white collar crime, and cyber investigations. Her roles included working with the FBI Hi-Tech Organized Crime Unit and Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) team and at the Special Counsel's Office led by Robert S. Mueller III that was ordered to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election and related matters. Prior to the FBI, Ms. Hou worked in Forensic Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) conducting investigations for civil matters including intellectual property, government contracts, loss and damage calculations, contract disputes, and corporate accounting investigations. Ms. Hou, a CPA, also brings to TRM her experience in Information Technology General Controls (ITGCs) and financial audits.

"I am very excited to join TRM Labs to help law enforcement and companies navigate the virtual asset world," said Ms. Hou. "I have spent my career in law enforcement and private sector working to stop illicit actors from profiting from using cryptocurrency and helping companies navigate the financial regulatory world. I am looking forward to using my experiences and working with our team to fulfill TRM's mission of building a safer financial system for billions of people."

"Katherine is a world-class expert on financial crime investigations and blockchain analytics," said TRM CEO Esteban Castaño. "She brings world class experience building investigations, but even more importantly, she is passionate about our mission and embodies our values. I am thrilled to welcome Katherine to TRM."

Ms. Hou joins the TRM team as cryptocurrency adoption accelerates worldwide, including experiencing significant growth among traditional institutional investors. A 2019 poll by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that nearly 80% of central banks are working on central bank digital currency (CBDC) research. In September 2020, stablecoins and digital dollars reached 200 billion in monthly on-chain USD volume, nearly 700% more than the same period the year prior.

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About Katherine Hou

Katherine Hou, CPA, joins the TRM team as a Senior Financial Intelligence Investigator, bringing her expertise in financial crime and cryptocurrency investigations. Previously, Ms. Hou worked as a Forensic Accountant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tracing funds, including cryptocurrency and digital currency, for counterterrorism, sanctions evasion, white collar crime, and cyber investigations. Her roles included working with the FBI Hi-Tech Organized Crime Unit and Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) team and at the Special Counsel's Office led by Robert S. Mueller III that was ordered to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election and related matters.

Prior to the FBI, Ms. Hou worked in Forensic Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) preparing expert testimony and deposition, and conducting investigations for civil matters including intellectual property, government contracts, loss and damage calculations, contract disputes, and corporate accounting investigations. Ms. Hou, a CPA, also brings to TRM her experience in Information Technology General Controls (ITGCs) and financial audits.

About TRM Labs

TRM provides blockchain intelligence to help financial institutions, cryptocurrency businesses and public agencies detect, investigate and manage crypto-related fraud and financial crime. TRM's risk management platform includes solutions for cryptocurrency anti-money laundering (AML), transaction monitoring and wallet screening, entity risk scoring including Know-Your-VASP, and transaction tracing for investigations. These tools enable a rapidly growing cohort of organizations around the world to safely embrace cryptocurrency-related transactions, products, and partnerships. TRM is backed by leading investors Bessemer Venture Partners, PayPal Ventures, Initialized Capital, Jump Capital, Salesforce Ventures, Operator Partners, Blockchain Capital, and Y Combinator. TRM is based in San Francisco, CA and is hiring across engineering, product, sales, and data science.

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