Extremist Mobilization Through the Use of NFTs and Cryptocurrency
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Psychology
Other
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Advisor Information
yes?
Location
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 107 - G (Masters)
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
24-3-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
24-3-2023 2:15 PM
Abstract
Extremist and terrorist groups have utilized multiple routes of fundraising in the past including, cash smuggling, diamonds & gold, kidnapping, and false trade invoicing. These groups have also used supporters from other countries to send money overseas to support their ideals. But, with the ever changing technological environment, extremist mobilization, funding, and recruitment may become more difficult to track due to the use of NFTs and cryptocurrency. NFTs and cryptocurrency run off of blockchain technology meaning that it is a decentralized system that can make transactions anonymous and difficult to find a paper trail. Through the use of NFTs users can send and receive memberships into different NFT “clubs”. With these memberships being transferred anonymously, communities of individuals with extremist beliefs can grow without raising much suspicion. Through the memberships, individuals can (depending on the group) join group chats, exchange ideas, and build the community. Politicians are already beginning to utilize NFTs as a form of donation in order for supporters to feel like they are a part of a community by receiving something such as a membership or a ticket to a meet and greet by purchasing an NFT. Recently, a terrorist group sympathizer released an NFT supporting Islamist militants. While the NFT did not get very far, it was extremely difficult to take the NFT down because of its existence on the blockchain network. With the world of NFTs and cryptocurrency being so new and unexplored, it is difficult to come up with a solution to an up and coming problem without taking away the decentralized aspect of the blockchain technology.
Scheduling
10:45 a.m.-Noon, 1-2:15 p.m., 2:30 -3:45 p.m.
Extremist Mobilization Through the Use of NFTs and Cryptocurrency
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 107 - G (Masters)
Extremist and terrorist groups have utilized multiple routes of fundraising in the past including, cash smuggling, diamonds & gold, kidnapping, and false trade invoicing. These groups have also used supporters from other countries to send money overseas to support their ideals. But, with the ever changing technological environment, extremist mobilization, funding, and recruitment may become more difficult to track due to the use of NFTs and cryptocurrency. NFTs and cryptocurrency run off of blockchain technology meaning that it is a decentralized system that can make transactions anonymous and difficult to find a paper trail. Through the use of NFTs users can send and receive memberships into different NFT “clubs”. With these memberships being transferred anonymously, communities of individuals with extremist beliefs can grow without raising much suspicion. Through the memberships, individuals can (depending on the group) join group chats, exchange ideas, and build the community. Politicians are already beginning to utilize NFTs as a form of donation in order for supporters to feel like they are a part of a community by receiving something such as a membership or a ticket to a meet and greet by purchasing an NFT. Recently, a terrorist group sympathizer released an NFT supporting Islamist militants. While the NFT did not get very far, it was extremely difficult to take the NFT down because of its existence on the blockchain network. With the world of NFTs and cryptocurrency being so new and unexplored, it is difficult to come up with a solution to an up and coming problem without taking away the decentralized aspect of the blockchain technology.