Nicolas Turnbull | Expert Cryptocurrency Engineer & Legal Witness New Zealand

About Me

Kia ora, I’m Nicolas Turnbull - entrepreneur, cryptocurrency specialist, and digital asset investigator based in Ōtautahi Christchurch NZ. I’m the co-founder & Director of Cryptocurrency NZ and Crypto Consulting NZ, two platforms established to empower Kiwis through practical education and hands-on support. My work centres on helping individuals, businesses, and communities confidently navigate the evolving Bitcoin & Crypto landscape - from foundational knowledge through to complex problem-solving.

My expertise spans blockchain analysis, transaction tracing, wallet recovery, and scam investigations, with a strong focus on digital forensics. I’ve provided formal reporting and expert evidence in legal proceedings across New Zealand, supporting cases ranging from fraud and asset disputes through to murder trials and divorce matters.

Whether you’re new to crypto or facing a complex asset situation, my focus is on helping you cut through the noise, protect your position, and take full ownership of your journey into Web3.

Nicolas Turnbull speaking at Cryptocurrency NZ meetup

Projects

Co-Founder & Consultant

Jan 2024 - Present | Crypto Consulting NZ

At Crypto Consulting NZ, I work directly with clients across New Zealand, offering crypto wallet recovery, scam analysis, and one-on-one onboarding. I also support legal cases by preparing expert witness reports, analysing blockchain transactions, and consulting on crypto-related disputes in the Disputes Tribunal and other legal settings.

Co-Founder and Director

Oct 2021 - Present | Cryptocurrency NZ

As the co-founder Cryptocurrency NZ, I've played an integral role in building one of Aotearoa's largest and most trusted crypto education platforms. I've helped shape strategy, develop community resources, and drive growth across our online presence, connecting thousands of Kiwis with trustworthy information, tools, and support.

Co-Founder and Director

November 2025 - Present | Crypto Consulting AU

Crypto Consulting AU is an expansion of Crypto Consulting NZ. We saw a lot of demand from Australians coming to our NZ branch, so we decided to open and operate our AU branch. We do everything from cryptocurrency & Bitcoin wallet recovery to general wallet setup to court and legal cases.

Experience & Awards

Recent Legal Case Highlights

2025 | Expert Witness & Forensic Analysis

Family Court • Auckland • $2.1M Cryptocurrency Discovery: Successfully traced and valued concealed Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings across multiple wallets and DeFi protocols during complex relationship property proceedings. Expert testimony resulted in fair asset division and court-ordered disclosure.

High Court • Auckland • $800K Murder Trial: Provided technical analysis and court testimony on blockchain transactions in a major murder trial. Our forensic work established the movement of cryptocurrency linked to the case and identified relevant wallets, while assisting the Crown and Ministry of Justice in interpreting complex blockchain evidence.

District Court • Auckland • $500K Bitcoin & Crypto Fraud Case: Provided forensic cryptocurrency analysis and expert testimony in a Bitcoin and crypto fraud case. Our investigation traced the flow of misappropriated funds across multiple wallets and exchanges, helping interpret complex blockchain data for the court.

Awards & Recognition

2025 | Blockchain NZ Awards

Startup of the Year: Crypto Consulting NZ was honored with the Startup of the Year award at the prestigious Blockchain NZ Awards 2025. This recognition celebrates our exceptional impact in the New Zealand blockchain and cryptocurrency sector. In 2025 alone, we successfully recovered over $2.1 Million NZD in lost and stolen cryptocurrency assets, provided critical support to more than 300 clients across New Zealand, and prevented over 50 individuals from falling victim to cryptocurrency scams through our proactive education and intervention services. This award reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting Kiwis in the digital asset space and building trust in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

2024 | Web3 Awards New Zealand

Company of the Year: Cryptocurrency NZ was Recognized for outstanding contributions to the New Zealand cryptocurrency and Web3 ecosystem, demonstrating leadership in education, innovation, and community building within the digital asset space.

Cryptocurrency Asset Recovery

2019 - Present | $1.3M+ Recovered

I've recovered over 1.3 Million New Zealand dollars in lost Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency assets. Recently tackled a complex wallet recovery case in Auckland involving an outdated MacBook laptop and early Bitcoin Core software wallet with no seed phrase available. Through innovative problem-solving and persistence, we successfully recovered $400,000 NZD in assets, including Bitcoin and its associated Bitcoin Cash airdrop.

Our team goes beyond recovery, leveraging deep crypto expertise to maximize value for our clients. We secure recovered assets and provide comprehensive guidance on safe storage practices.