TL;DR - SUMMARY
Know Your Customer (KYC) checks force financial service providers to identify and verify their customers. This is carried out as part of its anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance efforts to combat financial crimes and ensure due diligence with customers.
KYC processes proactively combat criminal activities by collecting and verifying customer information. These controls increase confidence in the industry and help financial service providers manage their risks. KYC processes have become commonplace on cryptocurrency exchanges. However, some critics consider that they eliminate the anonymity and decentralization aspects that have made crypto famous.
Introduction
KYC processes are a common regulatory requirement that financial service providers are required to comply with. These controls mainly combat the financing and money laundering of illicit activities. KYC processes are a key measure of anti-money laundering regulations, making them an important element of defense for cryptocurrencies in particular. Financial institutions and service providers like Binance are increasingly required to implement robust KYC procedures to protect customers and their assets.
What is a KYC process?
If you've opened an account on a cryptocurrency exchange, chances are you've had to complete a KYC check. The KYC process obliges financial service providers to collect information that verifies the identity of their customers. This can be done using official identification documents or bank receipts, for example. Like AML-type regulations, KYC policies help combat money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and illicit transfer of funds.
KYC processes typically take a proactive rather than reactive approach. Most service providers collect customer details during the onboarding process before they can conduct financial transactions. In some cases, accounts can be created without KYC but with limited functionality. Binance, for example, allows users to open an account but restricts trading until the KYC process is completed.
Upon completing the KYC process, you may be asked to provide:
National identification document
Driver's license
Passport
In addition to verifying a customer's identity, it is also important to confirm their place of residence and address. Your ID documents will provide basic information such as your name and date of birth, but more information is needed to establish your tax residence, for example. You will probably need to complete more than one KYC level. Financial service providers also often need to re-verify the identity of their customers periodically.
Who regulates KYC compliance?
KYC regulations differ in each country, but there is international cooperation regarding the basic information required. In the US, the Bank Secrecy Act and the Patriot Act of 2001 implemented most of the AML and KYC type processes we see today. The EU and Asia-Pacific countries have developed their own regulations, but these largely overlap with those of the US. The EU's Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD) and PSD2 regulations provide the main framework for reference in the countries of said organization. At the global level, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) coordinates multinational cooperation on regulatory conditions.
Why do we need KYC in crypto?
Due to the pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrencies, they are often used for illicit money laundering and tax evasion. Improving the regulation of cryptocurrencies positively impacts their reputation and ensures that taxes are paid where they are due. There are three fundamental reasons why KYC checks are necessary in the cryptocurrency industry:
1. Transactions on the blockchain are irreversible. There is no administrator to help you if you make a mistake, which means funds can be stolen or transferred and cannot be recovered.
2. Cryptocurrencies are fairly anonymous (pseudonymous). It is not necessary to provide any personal information to open a cryptocurrency wallet.
3. There is still some uncertainty regarding taxes and legality of cryptocurrencies in many countries.
Although KYC processes increase the time needed to set up an account, it has clear benefits. The average customer won't necessarily be able to see them, but KYC processes have a significant impact in relation to protecting your funds and fighting crime.
What advantages do KYC processes have?
The advantages of KYC are not obvious at all. However, it does much more than simply combat fraud, and can improve the financial system as a whole:
1. Lenders can more easily assess their risks by determining a customer's identity and financial history. This process leads to more responsible loan and risk management.
2. Fight identity theft and other types of financial fraud.
3. Reduces the risk of money laundering situations occurring at source as a proactive measure
4. Improve the trust, security and accountability of financial service providers. This reputation has a ripple effect on the entire financial industry and can encourage investment.
KYC and decentralization
Cryptocurrencies have, from the beginning, focused on decentralization and freedom from intermediaries. As we have already mentioned, anyone can create a wallet and own cryptocurrencies without having to provide personal details. However, for this very reason, cryptocurrencies have become a popular method of money laundering.
Governments and regulators generally require exchanges to apply KYC checks to their customers. Although it is difficult to implement mandatory KYC for cryptocurrency wallets, services that exchange fiat for crypto are more suitable. Some investors have a speculative interest in cryptocurrencies, while others more actively appreciate their utility and fundamental values.
Arguments against KYC
The KYC process has obvious benefits, but remains controversial to its critics. Arguments against KYC are more common in the cryptocurrency world due to its history and background. Typically, most of the criticism comes from issues related to privacy and costs:
1. There is an extra cost associated with executing KYC controls that is generally passed on to the client through commissions.
2. Some people do not have the documentation required for KYC checks, or perhaps do not have a fixed address. This makes it difficult for them to access certain financial services.
3. Irresponsible financial service providers may lack security in data management, and hacks can lead to your private data being stolen.
4. There are those who maintain that KYC processes are contrary to the decentralization of cryptocurrencies.
In conclusion
KYC processes are an industry standard for financial services and cryptocurrency exchanges. It is one of the most important functions in the fight against money laundering and other crimes. KYC checks may seem annoying, but they provide a lot of security. As part of overall AML measures, KYC processes allow you to trade cryptocurrencies on exchanges like Binance with a greater degree of trust and security.
