Joe Ciccolo
Speaker
Mr. Ciccolo is the Founder & President of BitAML, a regulatory compliance advisory firm serving the cryptocurrency and digital asset industry. With over a decade of experience in crypto compliance, Joe has advised several hundred clients—from early-stage startups to large multinational institutions. BitAML’s client base spans cryptocurrency exchanges, OTC desks, trading platforms, payment processors, kiosk operators, online marketplaces, hedge funds, and DeFi projects.
A recognized authority in the field, Joe is a frequent speaker at cryptocurrency, fintech, and compliance conferences, and regularly delivers training sessions for compliance officers, executive leaders, and law enforcement. He also consults with traditional financial institutions that bank or partner with crypto businesses, helping bridge the gap between legacy finance and emerging technologies.
In addition to his work at BitAML, Joe serves as the Executive Director of the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition (CBAC), a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association representing the blockchain, crypto, and Web3 industries before the California Legislature, Governor’s Office, and state regulatory agencies. In this role, he has testified on multiple occasions before both the California Assembly and Senate, playing a key role in shaping the state’s digital financial asset licensing framework and advocating for policy that balances innovation with strong consumer safeguards.
Joe is an active member of the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS) and serves on its Digital Asset Compliance Specialization (DACS) Committee, which developed a professional designation and knowledge framework to equip compliance, risk, and regulatory professionals with the expertise needed to manage AML, sanctions, and financial crime risks in the digital asset and cryptocurrency ecosystem. He is also a regular contributor to ACFCS educational programming, helping advance the profession’s understanding of financial crime risks in the crypto sector.
Prior to BitAML, Joe was a founding member of the BSA/AML compliance program at a top 100 U.S.-based online financial institution. He has also held leadership roles in regulatory and AML audit remediation at a top 20 global bank and has experience across various risk management disciplines including vendor due diligence, fraud prevention, and corporate investigations.
Joe holds the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Anti-Money Laundering Certified Associate (AMLCA) credentials. He is a graduate of Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice.