Resume
Virtual Currencies Versus Crime in the Context of the Slovak Republic
JUDr. Michaela Jurisová, PhD., Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava
Department of Criminology
PhDr. Elena Nikolajová Kupferschmidtová, PhD., Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava, Department of Languages
The present paper is dedicated to cryptocurrencies while their advantages and disadvantages are presented in relation to police work and the ways a cybercrime is tackled in the territory of the Slovak Republic. In order to get as detailed information as possible, not only the scientific and legal literature was analysed but also the interviews with the members of the Cyber Crime Department of the Police Force Presidium were conducted. Thus, the authors were able to present the ways crimes related to virtual currency, e.g. money laundering, terrorist financing, human trafficking or tax evasion, are tackled by the Police Force in Slovakia. However, as a result from the gained data, the need for further analysis and research in the area of cybercrime is presented as of crucial importance along with the need to enhance the international cooperation between relevant authorities and to increase the level of education for the members of the Police Force, prosecutors, and judges in the subject matter
Key words: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, crime, legislative framework, competent authorities, the Slovak Republic.