“There is no such thing as a excellent regulation with out dangers on the planet of cryptocurrencies”
– Maxim Kurbangaleev on sanctions and SUEX
Within the fall of 2021, there was a precedent that marked the start of large-scale sanctions on the planet of cryptocurrencies: the Ministry of Finance of America imposed sanctions towards the cryptocurrency firm SUEX on the premise of cash laundering allegations.
In accordance with the US Treasury, SUEX “participated in fraudulent monetary schemes,” together with “servicing Hydra” – the principle darkish internet drug market within the nation. Maxim Kurbangaleev discusses sanctions within the monetary sphere and explains what an trustworthy enterprise ought to do so as to not get into such conditions.
Maxim Kurbangaleev: why SUEX confronted sanctions
“All through the historical past of the cryptocurrency market, varied controversial conditions happen, which develop into the topic of debate of many analysts. A 12 months in the past, Washington’s actions towards SUEX turned extensively recognized – these are the primary sanctions of their sort imposed on a cryptocurrency firm. Objectively, there is no such thing as a excellent regulation on the planet of cryptocurrencies. Governments create controversial management and regulation companies, beneath the actions of which firms akin to SUEX fall,” says Maxim Kurbangaleev.
The cryptocurrency change firm was based in 2017. The thought of a cryptocurrency enterprise originated amongst pals who exchanged currencies amongst themselves – so it was determined to create an exchanger with official accounts on Binance. Undoubtedly, cryptocurrency firms are inclined to numerous components: the tightening of financial coverage, the volatility of the cryptocurrency market, the dearth of a legislative framework, and plenty of different issues can significantly have an effect on the exercise of crypto firms.
“At SUEX, cryptocurrency on official Binance accounts was checked for “purity” by way of transaction monitoring companies as required by AML/CTF. US regulation enforcement companies and regulators didn’t take note of the continued AML monitoring actions and added the exchanger to the sanctions checklist on account of suspicions of cash laundering.
With out interviewing the SUEX executives, with out in-depth evaluation, and even with out a trial. A whole lot of individuals and companies related to the corporate have been additionally affected – all those that carried out operations utilizing the SUEX pockets on Binance have been marked, and their accounts have been flagged as suspicious,” says Maxim Kurbangaleev.
An analogy will be drawn with money flowing from hand at hand. It’s nearly not possible to seek out out who they belonged to and what transactions they participated in earlier than they obtained into the pockets – the chain of banknote actions is on the market solely as much as the second hyperlink.
Think about that an individual will get his arms on “soiled” funds, the trail of which he can not bodily hint. He goes to the shop, makes a purchase order, and is dropped at justice with out verification, accusing him that he acquired cash for drug trafficking or funds laundering. That is how regulators on the planet of cryptocurrencies function at present.” explains Maxim Kurbangaleev.
Maxim Kurbangaleev on the significance of KYC
“The obscurity and uncertainty are what all the time accompany the crypto world. What’s going to occur tomorrow? Now there are small constructive adjustments in AML checks – transactions within the Bitcoin and the Ethereum networks will be analyzed in additional element and in depth, however this requires massive sources,” says Maxim Kurbangaleev.
Anybody can get right into a scenario the place a crypto pockets could also be marked for a suspicious transaction. Any crypto firm will also be sanctioned for fees of cash laundering or different fraud with out investigation and trial. What ought to we do to reduce the dangers and never face sanctions like SUEX?
“Firstly, it’s obligatory to conduct KYC for completely all shoppers. For enterprise, it’s needed to attach not solely crypto monitoring utilizing blockchain analytics companies but additionally basic instruments for analyzing transactions in fiat foreign money, as they do in banks. It’s essential to conduct a full financial institution test of its customers, with none exceptions,” Maxim Kurbangaleev recommends.
KYC procedures are a set of id checks. Identification of the shopper is obligatory for any monetary establishment from banks to crypto exchanges. Along with verifying the id of shoppers, SOF (rationalization of the supply of funds) and SOW (information on sources of wealth) procedures could also be required throughout onboarding. Each checks will assist establish fraudsters and criminals concerned in cash laundering, drug trafficking, or terrorist financing.
“Conduct enterprise within the “white” section, type a compliance management division for buyer identification processes and monitor the “purity” of operations. Amassing necessities from shoppers mustn’t elevate questions – it is a customary and enough process, with out which it’s not possible to think about an trustworthy enterprise. If a crypto firm nonetheless falls beneath sanctions or scrutiny from regulation enforcement companies, rent an excellent lawyer. The principle factor is to not panic and take all dangers with a chilly thoughts,” Maxim Kurbangaleev sums up
