Suspicious transaction alert and blocking system for cryptocurrency exchanges in metaverse’s social media universes: RG-guard

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we propose an effective system called RG-Guard that detects potential risks and threats in the use of cryptocurrencies in the metaverse ecosystem. In order for the RG-Guard engine to detect suspicious transactions, Ethereum network transaction information and phishing wallet addresses were collected, and a unique dataset was created after the data preprocessing process. During the data preprocessing process, we manually distinguished the features within the original dataset that contained potential risk indicators. The learning process of the RG-Guard engine in risk classification was achieved by developing a deep learning model based on LSTM + Softmax. In the training process of the model, RG-Guard was optimised for maximum accuracy, and optimum hyperparameters were obtained. The reliability and dataset performance of the preferred LSTM + Softmax model were verified by comparing it with algorithms used in risk classification and detection applications in the literature (Decision tree, XG boost, Random forest and light gradient boosting machine). Accordingly, among the trained models, LSTM + Softmax has the highest accuracy with an F1-score of 0.9950. When a cryptocurrency transaction occurs, RG-Guard extracts the feature vectors of the transaction and assigns a risk level between 1 and 5 to the parameter named βrisk. Since transactions with βrisk >  = 3 are labelled as suspicious transactions, RG-Guard blocks this transaction. Thus, thanks to the use of the RG-Guard engine in metaverse applications, it is aimed to easily distinguish potential suspicious transactions from instant transactions. As a result, it is aimed to detect and prevent instant potential suspicious transactions with the RG-Guard engine in money transfers, which have the greatest risk in cryptocurrency transactions and are the target of fraud. The original dataset prepared in the proposed study and the hybrid LSTM + Softmax model developed specifically for the model are expected to contribute to the development of such studies.