Investigation methods
An address is not a person.
Why address labels and transaction patterns need supporting evidence.
CRTrace editorial · 23.10.2026
Traceable does not mean identified
Blockchain addresses are ledger identifiers, not inherently personal names. A public transaction history may show movements clearly without revealing who authorised them. One person can use several addresses, and a service can manage addresses for many customers. The visible record and the identity claim are separate questions.
Ask where a label came from
An address label might come from a public statement, service records or an analytical inference. Those sources carry different levels of confidence. Clustering links addresses using observed patterns; it does not directly observe who held a device or approved a transfer. Document the basis of a finding and distinguish observations from assumptions.
Keep conclusions proportional
Separate what the ledger shows, what supports a link to a service or cluster, and what connects a person to its use. Evaluate each claim against its evidence, including alternative explanations. An explorer label is a lead to examine—not conclusive proof of personal identity or wrongdoing.