mr. lowrey, you're recognized. please proceed. >> good afternoon. thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of the department of homeland security regarding the risks and challenges posed by digital currencies and the role of the united states secret service in investigating crimes associated with online payment systems. digital currencies have developed and grown over the last 17 years as part of the continuing integrate on technology into the financial system. as the original guardians of the nation's payment systems, since 1885, they have continually adapted their methods to keep base with the evolving information technology within the financial system. since the founding of egold in 1996, digital kerracies and payment processors and exchangers have grown to be a significant participant in the global financial system. that processing 10s to hundreds of billions of dollars annually in total transaction volume. criminals and other illicit organizations use digital courageacy. they seek out the exchangers and providers that best enable them