YANIRA RODRIGUEZ
CRYPTO ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING SPECIALIST
Europe
Summary
Results-oriented dynamic Crypto AML Investigator with a decade of compliance expertise, including 5 years driving thousands of end-to-end Web3 and DeFi investigations at the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. Proficient in blockchain analysis and SAR/STR drafting and submission, as well as transaction monitoring, KYC/KYB/EDD, and global AML/CFT regulations for crypto and TradFi. Valued for precision, high-quality standards and mentoring the team. CAMS, ICA, Chainalysis and TRM-certified.
Passionate about fighting financial crime and helping operational international compliance teams, across FinTech/Web3 firms, while facilitating financial inclusion and learning continuously.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
4019
4019
years of post-secondary education
8
8
Certifications
4
4
Languages
Work History
Freelance Crypto AML/AFC Investigator
AMLGlobalPro
08.2020 - Current
- Established AMLGlobalPro to offer contract-based services as Anti-Money Laundering Specialist helping operational compliance teams worldwide, across FinTech, banks, and Web3 firms.
Lead Senior Investigator - FIU
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
08.2023 - 03.2025
Senior Investigator - Crypto Fraud & Theft
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
04.2022 - 07.2023
Compliance Associate - AML Team - FIU
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
09.2020 - 03.2022
- Led 8 investigators and analysts during Team Lead absences.
- Approved and QC'ed 1,500+ SARs/STRs/SMRs submissions under FinCEN, FINTRAC, AUSTRAC, NCA, FIA, SEPBLAC and other global regulators.
- Mentored analysts and investigators in advanced OSINT and investigative techniques, boosting AML and fraud expertise, and enhancing SAR and non-SAR quality.
- Created Work Instructions and Spanish SAR template for SEPBLAC submissions.
- Probed wallet behaviors on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, and other blockchains, spotting suspicious patterns, high-risk exposure, and on-chain layering using Chainalysis, Elliptic, and public explorers.
- Led thousands of investigations, from simple to complex, including large-scale, multi-client cases with device/IP cross-referencing.
- Drafted/submitted 2,100+ SARs and non-SARs, covering diverse typologies like money mules, structuring, scams, mixers, crosschain activity, sanctions, CSAM, darknet markets, terrorist financing, ATO, identity theft, and ransomware.
- Recognized as a top performer for handling high-volume investigations with outstanding attention to detail and quality.
- Interviewed candidates for FIU investigator roles.
- Monitored off-chain and on-chain transactions using blockchain tracing and proprietary rule-based systems.
- Supported EDD and teams on ad hoc projects, contributing to internal docs, FIU threat assessments, SOP creation, remediation, and knowledge sharing.
Anti-Money Laundering/Compliance Expert
Fidor Bank AG
05.2019 - 07.2020
AML Transaction Monitoring Expert
Fidor Bank AG
05.2018 - 04.2019
AML Transaction Monitoring Analyst
Fidor Bank AG
10.2016 - 04.2018
- Assessed SAR requirements and filed reports to the German FIU via GoAML.
- Created well-grounded clear reports for any non-SAR decisions.
- Revised and advised on the Annual Risk Analysis and Compliance Handbook.
- Strengthened ML risk controls by advising on TM rules.
- Evaluated TM alerts, serving as the final escalation point before the DMLRO.
- Documented red flags and escalation rationale clearly and efficiently.
- Handled and responded to law enforcement inquiries regarding SARs.
- Oversaw Compliance inbox, ensuring prompt handling of all messages and requests.
- Screened payment transactions in real-time for sanctions and PEPs using Smaragd TCM.
Junior Compliance Specialist, epay
01.2016 - 06.2016
KYC Analyst - AML/Compliance
01.2016 - 04.2016
Fraud Analyst
01.2015 - 06.2015
Financial Advisor
01.2005 - 01.2014
Education
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
University of Alcalá
Bachelor - Translation and Interpreting
University of Las Palmas De G.C.
Skills
Initiative & self-motivation
Certification
TRM-ACI: TRM Labs Advanced Crypto Investigator, 2024
Timeline
Lead Senior Investigator - FIU
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
08.2023 - 03.2025
Senior Investigator - Crypto Fraud & Theft
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
04.2022 - 07.2023
Compliance Associate - AML Team - FIU
Kraken Digital Asset Exchange
09.2020 - 03.2022
Freelance Crypto AML/AFC Investigator
AMLGlobalPro
08.2020 - Current
Anti-Money Laundering/Compliance Expert
Fidor Bank AG
05.2019 - 07.2020
AML Transaction Monitoring Expert
Fidor Bank AG
05.2018 - 04.2019
AML Transaction Monitoring Analyst
Fidor Bank AG
10.2016 - 04.2018
Junior Compliance Specialist, epay
01.2016 - 06.2016
KYC Analyst - AML/Compliance
01.2016 - 04.2016
Fraud Analyst
01.2015 - 06.2015
Financial Advisor
01.2005 - 01.2014
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
University of Alcalá
Bachelor - Translation and Interpreting
University of Las Palmas De G.C.
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