Criminal procedure and forensic features of recording transactions in the blockchain network as evidence in a criminal case

Blockchain technology allows to get access to information about transactions stored in individual blocks. The technology is based on the core principles of cryptography, which determine the name of financial instruments based on it - cryptocurrencies. The article discusses the basic cryptographic principles underlying cryptocurrencies, substantiates the thesis of the security of information storage in blockchain. The features of the modern drug business, which uses an extensive network of criminal connections, are considered. The key characteristics of recording a transaction in the blockchain network as forensically significant information are highlighted. The study allows to form several basic features of using a transaction in the blockchain network as evidence, and classify the information obtained in the process of accessing such data as having procedural, operational-investigative and forensic significance for investigating criminal cases in which cryptocurrencies are used as a criminal means of payment.