Two of the most accomplished leaders in federal cyber operations join CipherOwl to bring AI-powered onchain intelligence to government agencies.
The threat landscape for government agencies has changed. Digital assets are no longer a niche concern; they sit at the center of ransomware payments, sanctions evasion, fraud at scale, and the financing of transnational criminal organizations. The agencies tasked with investigating and disrupting these threats need tools built for this reality. Not legacy systems with AI bolted on. Not manual workflows that take weeks to produce a single report. They need onchain intelligence that is fast, explainable, and purpose-built for the complexity of modern financial crime.
That's why we started CipherOwl. And today, we're announcing a major step forward in our mission.
We are thrilled to welcome Matt O'Neill and Ray Shuler, two of the most respected leaders in federal cyber operations, as Advisors to CipherOwl. Matt and Ray bring more than 50 combined years of experience at the highest levels of the U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations. They will represent CipherOwl directly in the public sector, working with agencies in Washington, D.C. and beyond to bring our AI-powered intelligence platform to the teams that need it most.
This isn't a ceremonial appointment. Matt and Ray are here because they've lived the problem we're solving and they believe CipherOwl is the answer.
Matt O'Neill, Former Managing Director of Global Cyber Investigative Operations, U.S. Secret Service
Matt O'Neill spent 25 years at the United States Secret Service, where he led and executed some of the most complex and high-impact cybercrime investigations in the world.
As Managing Director of Global Cyber Investigative Operations, Matt directed global strategies to dismantle transnational criminal networks responsible for large-scale financial theft, cryptocurrency laundering, and dark web marketplace operations. His work routinely placed him at the center of high-stakes international investigations, coordinating multinational takedowns in close collaboration with foreign law enforcement and intelligence partners. His efforts directly contributed to the disruption of networks responsible for laundering billions of dollars in illicit proceeds.
Matt didn't just direct operations from a desk. He personally participated in undercover missions that required advanced tradecraft assuming false identities to engage and lure high-value cybercriminal targets into jurisdictions where they could be arrested and prosecuted. His investigations helped bring to justice some of the most prolific hackers and financial criminals operating globally.
As head of the Secret Service's Asset Forfeiture Branch, Matt oversaw the seizure of more than $2 billion in criminal assets in just two years an unprecedented achievement for the agency. Earlier in his career, he served on the U.S. Vice President's Detail, reflecting the breadth of his experience across both the Secret Service's protective and investigative missions.
Matt's service has been recognized with numerous honors, including U.S. Secret Service Special Agent of the Year and the Department of Homeland Security's Gold and Silver Medals.
Today, Matt is a sought-after advisor and speaker on cybersecurity, financial crime, and emerging digital threats. He brings a rare combination of hands-on operational experience, strategic vision, and deep credibility in the law enforcement community exactly what's needed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the agencies charged with protecting national security.
Ray Shuler, Former Assistant Director, Cyber & Operational Technology, Homeland Security Investigations
Ray Shuler retired as Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), where he led the Cyber and Operational Technology (COT) division one of the most consequential technology organizations in federal law enforcement.
In this role, Ray managed information technology programs and initiatives that directly supported HSI's law enforcement mission. He directed a combined workforce of over 500 employees and an annual budget of nearly $240 million. He was instrumental in advancing the technology HSI uses to combat crime, overseeing both the Cyber Crimes Center which leverages highly technical assets to conduct transborder investigations of internet-related crimes and the HSI Innovation Lab, the agency's centralized hub for developing advanced analytics capabilities, tools, and enhanced business processes.
Ray's career in law enforcement spanned three decades and included a series of progressively senior leadership roles that took him from the field to headquarters and back. He served as Deputy Assistant Director for Operational Technology, Division Chief for Systems Development, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for HSI Nashville, Unit Chief for the Operational Technology and Cyber Division, Section Chief for Technical Operations, and Program Manager for both Emergency Management and the Tactical Medical Program. He began his law enforcement career with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department in 1992.
What sets Ray apart is his ability to operate at the intersection of technology and mission. He doesn't just understand the tools, he understands the operational realities of the agents and analysts who depend on them. That perspective is invaluable as government agencies navigate the shift to digital asset intelligence.
Why CipherOwl
Matt and Ray have seen the problem from the inside. Government agencies are under increasing pressure to investigate and disrupt financial crime involving digital assets, but the tools available to them weren't built for the speed, scale, or complexity the mission demands.
CipherOwl changes that.
Our AI-powered onchain intelligence platform transforms raw blockchain activity into explainable fund-flow graphs, automated narratives, and regulatory-ready filings reducing weeks of manual analysis to minutes. Built on a proprietary data and reasoning architecture, CipherOwl doesn't just flag suspicious transactions. It explains why they're suspicious, giving human reviewers a head start and creating audit trails that hold up under scrutiny.
We're already trusted by leading exchanges, custodians, and protocol builders including Coinbase, OKX, and others. Now, with Matt and Ray on board, we're bringing the same intelligence capabilities to the public sector the agencies on the front lines of combating ransomware, sanctions evasion, cryptocurrency laundering, and the full spectrum of digital financial crime.
Matt and Ray chose CipherOwl because they believe our platform is what they wish they'd had during their federal careers. They've seen firsthand how much time is lost to manual processes, how critical it is for intelligence to be explainable and defensible, and how urgently agencies need tools that match the pace of the threat. They're not here to lend their names. They're here to help us build the bridge between Silicon Valley and D.C.
What This Means
This announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for CipherOwl. Matt and Ray will operate out of Washington, D.C., representing CipherOwl directly with public sector customers and partners. They will carry CipherOwl email addresses, attend meetings and events as company representatives, and work hands-on with agencies exploring how AI-powered onchain intelligence can strengthen their investigative and compliance capabilities.
Their involvement signals something bigger than two hires. It signals that the public sector is ready for a new generation of digital asset intelligence and that the people who know the mission best are choosing CipherOwl to deliver it.
About CipherOwl
CipherOwl is the intelligence layer for digital asset security and compliance. Our AI-powered platform provides onchain intelligence for stablecoins, RWA, and on-chain finance, helping public agencies, financial institutions, and protocol builders automate core compliance functions with speed and accuracy. Built on a proprietary data and reasoning architecture, CipherOwl transforms raw blockchain activity into explainable fund-flow graphs, automated narratives, and regulatory filings reducing weeks of manual effort to minutes.
To learn more, visit cipherowl.com.
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