Abstract

With the advent of new forms of interaction, virtual goods and services, a new field for committing offences in the field of virtual assets turnover is emerging. This encourages scientists and law enforcement agencies to actively research this area and develop effective mechanisms to respond to emerging challenges that have not yet been properly reflected in legislation. The purpose of this study was to explore the issue in depth by analysing specific offences related to virtual assets, including but not limited to theft, fraud, corruption, and tax evasion. The methods of scientific cognition employed for the study include analysis of legal regulation, modelling methods, analogies, systemic and structural, comparative legal, as well as methods of scientific abstraction and generalisation. Based on the results of the study, the study identified the main types of offences in the field of virtual assets and unifies them. The study identified the shortcomings in the current legal regulation that contribute to these problems. Proposals were formulated for amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding the qualification of new types of offences committed in the field of virtual assets turnover based on research of current trends, international practices, and analysis of the current state of Ukrainian legislation. The study also showed that the available legal instruments often fail to ensure adequate detection and prosecution of new forms of offences, which makes it necessary to reform legislation to adapt to the current dynamic environment. The practical significance of this study was to identify the current problems of legal regulation of the circulation of virtual assets, and to develop recommendations for improving the qualification of offences in this area.