The risks surrounding
virtual currency exchanges include those related to money laundering and terrorism financing (ML / TF).
Not exact matches
That same day, LINE Corporation, the company behind the LINE messaging app, which is one of the most widely used in several Asian countries, revealed plans to integrate a new range of «financial services,
including a place to
exchange and transact
virtual currencies, loans, and insurance,» into the app itself.
These
include actions by the People's Bank of China to further curtail digital asset trading, an alliance between the central bank and other agencies to target fraudulent
virtual currency schemes, and an announcement from the Shenzhen stock
exchange stating that companies speculating on blockchain technology will face repercussions.
It does not
include software, protocol governing transfers of the digital representation of value, transactions which merchants grant as part of a reward or affinity program in which value can not be
exchanged for tender, bank credit, or
virtual currency.
We'll ignore
currency issues (
including the jurisdiction of the CFTC over such things) for the moment, except insofar as New York's definition of
virtual currency (which you need a license to move around) is very broadly construed and
includes most «digital units of
exchange» which could certainly
include tokens.
The DFS argues that it was tasked by the New York State Legislature to regulate and supervise financial services and products that
include virtual currency, which is a «medium of
exchange that may be used to buy or sell goods or services and can be used to store value.»
But the
virtual currency's struggle for legitimacy has been shaken by recent debacles,
including the collapse last week of Tokyo - based Mt. Gox, once the world's dominant bitcoin
exchange.
Japan's Cabinet has approved proposals for the 2017 fiscal year tax reform which
include an exemption from consumption tax (the Japanese value added tax) for the transfer of
virtual currency (VC - cash
exchange).
The company's acceptable use policy was updated on March 29th to
include the following line which appears in the prohibited content section: ``... we can not allow businesses involved in any aspect of the sale, transaction,
exchange, storage, marketing or production of cryptocurrencies,
virtual currencies, and any digital assets related to an Initial Coin Offering, to use...
Only those engaged in
exchanging between
virtual and fiat
currencies are
included.
A few beginner - friendly
exchanges to consider
include Coinbase, LocalBitcoins, Blockchain.info, and Bitstamp, which was the first regulated and licensed
virtual currency exchange in the EU.
``... a developer that sells convertible
virtual currency,
including in the form of ICO coins or tokens, in
exchange for another type of value that substitutes for
currency is a money transmitter and must comply with AML / CFT requirements that apply to this type of [money services business].
For example, to avoid money laundering, businesses must have the name and physical address of BOTH parties in the transaction: [blockquote person =» New York Department of Financial Services» attribution =» New York Department of Financial Services»] As part of its anti-money laundering compliance program, each firm shall maintain the following information for all transactions involving the payment, receipt,
exchange or conversion, purchase, sale, transfer, or transmission of
Virtual Currency: (1) the identity and physical addresses of the parties involved; (2) the amount or value of the transaction,
including in what denomination purchased, sold, or transferred, and the method of payment; (3) the date the transaction was initiated and completed, and (4) a description of the transaction.
A developer that sells convertible
virtual currency,
including in the form of ICO coins or tokens, in
exchange for another type of value that substitutes for
currency is a money transmitter and must comply with AML / [Combating the Financing of Terrorism] requirements that apply to [MSBs].
All
virtual currency,
including, but not limited to, Bitcoin («XBT»),
exchanged or traded by and between our Members originates from the Members themselves.
These
include SBI Holdings» SBI
Virtual Currencies, GMO Internet, Kabu.com Securities and Money Partners Group, along with the extant Japanese
exchanges such as BitFlyer.
Going forward, LINE will use this new company as a base as it proceeds with preparations to provide a variety of financial services,
including a place to
exchange and transact
virtual currencies, loans, and insurance — all from the LINE app — and will continue to grow its financial business.»
«Covered activities» in the report
include: «Services that facilitate the third - party
exchange, storage, and / or transmission of
virtual currency (e.g. wallets, vaults, kiosks, merchant - acquirers, and payment processors.)»
``... CSBS concluded that activities involving third - party control of
virtual currency,
including for the purposes of transmitting,
exchanging, holding, or otherwise controlling
virtual currency, should be subject to state licensure and supervision.»
SEOUL (Reuters)-- A South Korean blockchain association announced on Friday measures to boost transparency in trading of cryptocurrencies, agreed by 14
exchanges in the country
including the world's busiest
virtual currency exchange, Bitthumb.
So far, 16
exchanges have been registered
including Bitflyer, Quoine, GMO Coin, Zaif, Bit Bank, SBI
Virtual Currencies, and Bit Arg
Exchange.
Rather, they added «convertible
virtual currency» to existing «money transmitter» statutes,
including bitcoin
exchange as a form of
currency trading.
The letter reads, ``... a developer that sells convertible
virtual currency,
including in the form of ICO coins or tokens, in
exchange for another type of value that substitutes for
currency is a money transmitter....»
«Generally, under existing regulations and interpretations, a developer that sells convertible
virtual currency,
including in the form of ICO coins or tokens, in
exchange for another type of value that substitutes for
currency is a money transmitter and must comply with AML / CFT requirements that apply to this type of MSB [money services business].»
«After the amendment comes into force, professionals and especially
exchange services between
virtual and fiat
currencies and custodian wallet providers will have to comply, which
includes, of course, compliance with the regulations in their country of incorporation,» explains Boland.
Going forward, Line will use this new company as a base as it proceeds with preparations to provide a variety of financial services,
including a place to
exchange and transact
virtual currencies, loans, and insurance — all from the Line app
a) High price volatility as investments tied to
Virtual Currencies are highly unstable and are primarily based on speculations; b) Failure / closure of
Virtual Currency exchanges / businesses due to any reason
including action by law enforcement agencies; and c) Hacking / security compromises of cryptocurrency
exchanges and wallet businesses.
«The team is checking whether
virtual currency exchanges manage customer assets separately from their own assets and whether they have appropriate risk management measures,
including how to respond to cyberattacks, in place,» the news outlet elaborated.
It states that «there is a risk that
virtual currency transfers may be used by terrorist organisations to conceal transfers», prompting the Commission to extend «the scope of the AMLD to
include virtual currency exchange platforms.»
«Generally, under existing regulations and interpretations, a developer that sells convertible
virtual currency,
including in the form of ICO coins or tokens, in
exchange for another type of value that substitutes for
currency is a money transmitter and must comply with AML / CFT requirements that apply to this type of MSB.
And that torrent is bumping up against some of the established frameworks of futures regulation,
including the obligation of futures
exchanges to ensure that
virtual currency futures are not susceptible to manipulation, and of futures clearinghouses to ensure that such products are adequately risk managed.
Changelly is a cryptocurrency
exchange with support for many more
virtual currencies than most,
including Monero, Dash, Bytecoin, and DigitalNote among others.
According to the Hankyoreh, the association's self - regulatory measures will «
include minimum operating requirements such as the capital base of
virtual currency exchanges, employee ethics regulations, and consumer protection.»
Uphold, the well - known platform and
virtual currency exchange based in the cloud has recently decided to break through new horizons and possibly attract new clients and investors by
including the digital coin Ripple (XRP) on their platform.
In a move towards self - regulation, leading Indian Bitcoin
exchanges including Zebpay, Unocoin and Coinsecure have formed an industry - wide organization called the Blockchain and
Virtual Currency Association of India.
«Going forward, Line will use this new company as a base as it proceeds with preparations to provide a variety of financial services,
including a place to
exchange and transact
virtual currencies, loans and insurances — all from the LINE app and will continue to grow our financial business.»
The
exchanges must also «establish and implement internal management plans,»
including those «related to the management of
virtual currency electronic wallets and cryptographic keys and the transmission of
virtual currency transactions,» the KCC detailed.