## Beijing tightens grip on corruption Chinese authorities have announced that they have refined their techniques for tracking down corrupt officials who accept bribes in cryptocurrencies, which are considered difficult to trace. The method is based on analyzing the expenses made with the illicit funds. ## The Yao Qian case A documentary broadcast by state television CCTV illustrated the case of Yao Qian, former director of the digital currency institute at the People's Bank of China. Investigators began to suspect Yao when he bought a villa in Beijing for over 20 million yuan (approximately $2.9 million). ## General context The fight against corruption is a priority for the Chinese government. The use of cryptocurrencies to mask illicit transactions represents a growing challenge for law enforcement worldwide. Authorities in various countries are developing tools and techniques to combat money laundering and other criminal activities that exploit the anonymity features offered by cryptocurrencies.