Spain's largest cryptocurrency exchange Bit2Me has launched Bit2Shield, a separate company designed to help courts, police and financial institutions trace, seize, store and liquidate cryptocurrency linked to investigations. According to a statement from Bit2Me, the new unit, legally registered as CryptoShield S.L., will provide forensic and operational services covering digital assets from identification during investigations through their eventual sale when ordered by authorities. The company will assist investigators during searches and seizures by extracting information from wallets, locating cryptocurrency and preparing digitally signed forensic reports that can be submitted in court. As per Bit2Me, the initiative addresses the 'institutional need' to have experts capable of translating the complexity of the 'on-chain' ecosystem into the procedural and evidential framework required by judicial bodies.
The new forensic unit has strengthened its capabilities by adding Adrián Maroño, a former member of the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Spanish Civil Guard, who will serve as head of investigations within the organization. Bit2Shield will provide comprehensive services including traceability analysis services, technical assistance in operations and interventions, preparation of expert evidence that can be validated in court, institutional custody, and specialized training programs. The company will assist investigators during searches and seizures by extracting information from wallets, locating cryptocurrency and preparing digitally signed forensic reports that can be submitted in court. The move formalizes work Bit2Me was already carrying out for public authorities.
During 2025, Bit2Me processed €1.5 million ($1.74 million) in seized cryptocurrency for authorities including Interpol, Europol and Spanish police, according to the company. The exchange used blockchain analytics provider Chainalysis to trace the assets before converting the cryptocurrency into euros for the state. The work extends to fraud investigations, source-of-funds certification and training for police officers, judges and financial institutions. Bit2Shield will also investigate fraud, certify the source of funds and train police officers, judges and banks, as reported by CoinDesk.
Once digital assets have been located and seized, Bit2Shield will arrange their storage in cold wallets protected by multi-signature setup, with assets remaining under custody until authorities issue instructions for disposal. When a court or competent authority orders a sale, Bit2Shield will coordinate the process, while the actual crypto-to-euro conversion will be handled by Bitcoinforme S.L., Bit2Me's entity authorized by Spain's securities regulator under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. Proceeds from sales will be transferred in euros to government bank accounts.
Bit2Shield itself is not a crypto-asset service provider under MiCA because its activities center on investigations, digital forensics and training. Services that fall under the regulated conversion of cryptocurrency into fiat will remain with Bitcoinforme. This distinction comes after the EU completed the final stage of its MiCA transition period on July 1, with only 281 of 1,343 crypto service providers operating across the European Economic Area securing MiCA authorization by the deadline. The new unit extends Bit2Me's push beyond retail trading into infrastructure for banks and public bodies, with the company backed by Bankinter, Unicaja, Cecabank, Telefónica and Tether.
