EP 92 | From HSI to IP House: Steve Francis on Leadership, Enforcement, and Innovation

Former Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Director Steve Francis dedicated his life to public service from a young age, rising to the pinnacle of US federal law enforcement.On this episode of TRM Talks, Steve joins Ari to reflect on a career defined by protecting the financial system, empowering agents in the field, and building innovative enforcement programs that span borders and sectors.Steve understood early that almost every crime is a financial crime and every investigation is about following the money. During Steve's tenure at HSI, cryptocurrency became a bigger part of that equation. Recognizing its growing role in transnational crime, Steve prioritized crypto-focused training for agents, built a cadre of blockchain intelligence experts, and championed the use of advanced investigative tools to track and disrupt illicit activity on-chain. That commitment to leveraging technology gave HSI new capabilities to keep pace with rapidly evolving threats.From uncovering Saddam-era money laundering in Iraq to leading operations against counterfeit PPE during the pandemic, Steve’s leadership combined operational experience with strategic foresight. Now as Executive Chairman of IP House, he is applying that mission mindset to the private sector, building a 550-person global intelligence and enforcement network in just over a year.The conversation explores lessons in humble, high-impact leadership, the central role of crypto and cyber in modern investigations, how cross-agency collaboration has driven landmark cases, and the future of public-private partnerships. Whether you work in government, tech, or compliance, this is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and mission-driven work.