Cryptocurrency tracing, wallet forensics, and recovery consulting from a twenty-year investigative career.
Hawthorne Shumway is the private consulting practice of Steve Bratten, focused exclusively on cryptocurrency tracing and blockchain forensics for private clients. The firm is a registered LLC in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, and works discreetly with attorneys, family offices, and individuals navigating loss, dispute, or investigation.
The practice is intentionally small. Every engagement is handled personally, in confidence, and without the noise of a larger firm. Work is delivered with the discipline of a career built inside federal investigation, and the practical sense of someone who has followed the money for two decades.
Every engagement begins with a private conversation. From there, the work follows the funds.
Following transactions across chains, bridges, and mixing services to identify where value is now held, or where it moved. The analytical backbone of nearly every engagement.
Clustering, exchange attribution, and documentation of on-chain activity in a form suitable for civil proceedings, exchange escalation, or a law-enforcement referral.
An honest assessment of realistic paths to recovery, coordination with exchanges and platforms, and referrals to counsel where litigation is the appropriate next step.
Written findings delivered in plain language, and where retained, testimony in the terms that courts, insurers, and clients understand.
A confidential introductory conversation to understand the matter and determine whether the practice is the right fit.
A written scope of work with an expected timeline and a defined budget. No engagement proceeds without one in place.
The investigative work — on-chain tracing, off-chain research, and coordination with exchanges or counsel where required.
A written report of findings, methodology, and recommended next steps. Testimony available where retained.
All initial conversations are confidential and without obligation. Steve will respond directly within one business day, often sooner.
Direct email stevebratten@hotmail.comThe practice does not accept criminal-defense engagements and does not consult on the concealment of assets. Referrals to appropriate counsel provided where a matter falls outside scope.