CONTENTS

• What are the challenges faced by crypto exchanges without KYC?
• The KYC Landscape in Crypto Exchanges
• KYC Builds Trust and Lowers the Risk of Transparency
• Benefits of KYC in Crypto Exchanges
• Overview of Crypto Exchanges in 2023
• The Role of KYC Solution Providers in Securing Crypto Exchanges
• Unlocking Efficiency with IDMERIT

What are the Challenges Faced by Crypto Exchanges Without KYC?

Before the widespread adoption of KYC in the cryptocurrency industry, there were several challenges:

1. Possibility of increasing Fraud: Cryptocurrencies, in their early days, offered a high degree of anonymity. While this was seen as a benefit by many, it also attracted individuals involved in illegal activities such as money laundering and fraud.
2. Reputation Risks: The association of cryptocurrencies with illegal activities tarnished their reputation. Trust and acceptance in the broader financial ecosystem were hindered, slowing down mainstream adoption.
3. Financial Risks: Without robust KYC solutions, financial risks and scams increase. Financial criminals who wanted to commit fraud were often attracted to crypto exchanges with no transparency or accountability. This led to financial losses.
4. Security Threats: The absence of KYC measures has made cryptocurrency exchanges more susceptible to hacking and cyber threats. These vulnerabilities resulted in significant losses for both users and platforms.

The KYC Landscape in Crypto Exchanges

KYC in crypto exchanges refers to the process of verifying the identity of users. It’s a robust mechanism that helps crypto platforms establish the real-world identities of their customers. The primary goal is to prevent fraudulent activities and to create a secure environment for trading digital assets.

To implement KYC effectively, crypto exchanges often turn to KYC solution providers. These solution providers offer a suite of services tailored to the unique needs of the cryptocurrency industry. By collaborating with these experts, crypto exchanges can streamline the onboarding process, enhance security, and reduce the risk with financial regulations. Below is how KYC solutions unlock the power in crypto exchanges:

1. User Verification: KYC solution providers use a variety of methods, including document verification and facial recognition, to ensure users are who they claim to be.
2. Risk Mitigation: By assessing user-profiles and tracking their activities, KYC solutions help exchanges identify high-risk individuals or entities. This proactive approach reduces the potential for financial crimes.
3. Enhanced Security: By implementing robust identity verification, crypto exchanges protect themselves and their users from security breaches and unauthorised access.

KYC Builds Trust and Lowers the Risk of Transparency

Financial misconduct, spanning a spectrum of illicit activities such as tax evasion, bribery, graft, financing of terrorism, and cyber intrusions into online banking systems, imposes an annual financial burden of approximately $1.4 to $3.5 trillion globally, with an estimated $2 trillion channelled through the laundering process.

Notably, crypto exchanges stand as susceptible targets, experiencing losses amounting to $4.26 billion in 2019 alone. The integration of Know Your Customer protocols within the realm of cryptocurrency and crypto exchange platforms can play a pivotal role in the identification and authentication of users, thereby diminishing the risk of financial crime and unauthorised operations.

Benefits of KYC in Crypto Exchanges

Implementing KYC solutions in crypto exchanges brings a multitude of benefits. These include:

1. Enhanced Trust: Users are more likely to trust and engage with exchanges that prioritise security and trust. KYC solutions make the decision-making process easy on the basis of identity verification.
2. Reduced Fraud: KYC solutions act as a deterrent to fraudsters and significantly reduce the incidence of fraudulent activities.
3. Combating Money Laundering: KYC & AML solutions help crypto exchanges avoid hefty fines and reputational damage. These solutions help in recognizing people involved in money laundering and terrorism financing.
4. Reduced Operational Costs: Automated KYC processes streamline user onboarding and reduce the need for manual verifications, cutting operational costs.
5. Global Expansion: Crypto Exchanges that prioritise KYC can expand to more countries by demonstrating a commitment to international regulations.

Overview of Crypto Exchanges in 2023

In 2023, cryptocurrency prices demonstrated remarkable resilience, especially considering that both Bitcoin and Ethereum had their worst annual performances in 2018. Despite a relatively unexciting performance in September, Bitcoin prices have surged by 63.3% year-to-date, while Ethereum prices have increased by 40.2%.

According to the most recent research conducted by Coinfirm, it has come to light that 69% of the 216 crypto-related businesses under scrutiny do not possess “comprehensive and transparent” KYC solutions, a critical component of their AML initiatives.

A separate report from CipherTrace further underscores this concern, indicating that among the top 120 crypto exchanges, one-third exhibit subpar KYC processes, and two-thirds are deficient in maintaining robust KYC policies.

The Role of KYC Solution Providers in Securing Crypto Exchanges

KYC solution providers help to authenticate business identities for crypto industries. They offer a range of services that encompass identity verification. The following identity verification methods are essential for crypto exchanges to stay secure and stable:

1. Document Verification: KYC solution providers enable exchanges to verify the authenticity of identity documents, such as passports and driver’s licences.
2. Biometric Authentication: Facial recognition technology ensures that the person submitting the documents is the same as the one in the ID.
3. Watchlist Screening: KYC solution providers allow exchanges to check users against global watchlists, identifying politically exposed persons (PEPs) and other high-risk individuals.
4. Ongoing Monitoring: Regularly updated profiles and transaction monitoring help exchanges identify changes in user behaviour that may indicate illicit activities.

Unlocking Efficiency with IDMERIT

There are several key strategies through which a crypto management platform can enhance security:

• Advanced identity verification
• Efficient onboarding process
• Ongoing monitoring
• Risk assessment tools

IDMERIT provides robust identity verification and Know Your Customer solutions. After harnessing these identity verification solutions, you’ll be able to manage custom workflows tailored to different usage scenarios and incorporate a range of verification methods to align with KYC methods. As a result, we not only guide in maximising conversion rate but also significantly enhance the efficiency of the verification pipeline.

If you’re interested in discovering how IDMERIT can assist you in achieving identity trust and security for your cryptocurrency exchange, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or join our community for a direct conversation with our product team. We’re here to engage in a discussion with you!

The post A Comprehensive Guide of KYC in Crypto Exchanges in 2023 appeared first on IDMERIT.

This blog helps to identify that many leading identity verification providers have now started offering Video KYC solutions, making it easier for businesses to onboard customers securely and efficiently.

CONTENT

• What is KYC? How does it help in Reducing Fraud and Authenticating a Customer’s ID document?
• What is video KYC?
• How did Video KYC replace traditional KYC methods in identifying a user’s identity?
• What are the benefits of Video KYC?
• Importance of Video KYC in Different Countries
• Conclusion
• More About Us

What is KYC? How does it help in Reducing Fraud and Authenticating a Customer’s ID document?

Know Your Customer (KYC) is an identity verification process used by businesses and financial institutions to verify the identities of their clients. KYC has become a powerful tool for industries to protect themselves and their clients from the ever-evolving landscape of fraud and risk.

The main aim of KYC is not only to prevent fraud but also to authenticate user’s identities to ensure that they are who they claim to be. It also helps in complying with regulatory requirements and safeguarding sensitive customer data.

Our robust identity verification solutions can help financial institutions and businesses effectively reduce the risk linked to fraudulent activities. These solutions incorporate cutting-edge technologies like face recognition, document scanning, and biometrics to guarantee the precision and authenticity of the user’s identity.

The KYC process works by collecting and verifying essential information from individuals to confirm their identity and make sure they are who they say they are. This typically includes personal details such as name, address, date of birth and often involves document verification, like passport and driver’s licence.

What is video KYC?

In this advanced world, digital KYC has become paramount. Video KYC, or Video Know Your Customer, is an advanced form of KYC that is used for verifying a user’s identity remotely through a Video call. Video KYC solution providers offer video KYC solutions to verify customers’ identities by checking their documents and matching them with their real-time appearance.

These solutions involve a live video call between an agent and a client. The purpose of this live video call is to verify identities, which reduces the risk of fraud and enhances customer convenience and security. The agent on the other side of the video call verifies the user’s identity by verifying their details and matching them with their real-time appearance.

Video KYC has now been adopted by several industries, including Banking and Finance, the Cryptocurrency exchange industry, fintech companies, Education, Healthcare, as well as the Insurance sector. Additionally, businesses can integrate Video KYC into their systems through Video KYC APIs, making the process even more streamlined and efficient.

How did Video KYC replace traditional KYC methods in identifying a user’s identity?

Before entering the digital world, KYC was performed manually with conventional methods. It was one of the main concerns for banks and other financial institutions; e.g., When the banks used to onboard clients, they asked them to fill in forms, scan their identity documents and then make them wait for an answer. In some cases, they also used to visit client’s residences to check whether they had given the correct address proof or not. This was no doubt a time-consuming job and also cost a lot of money.

In contrast, Video KYC has emerged as a revolutionary solution for this problem, replacing traditional KYC methods for identity verification. Unlike complicated paperwork and in-person visits, Video KYC solutions leverage video conferencing platforms and APIs to streamline the process. It has undoubtedly reduced the cost and saved time and effort of both the client and financial institutions. It is more suitable than the traditional method because it ensures security and accuracy at a higher level.

Video KYC platforms enable individuals to authenticate their identities via secure video calls, ensuring immediate verification and minimising the potential for fraudulent activities. The adoption of Video KYC has revolutionised the landscape of identity verification, enhancing speed, efficiency, and user-friendliness while diminishing the dependence on conventional KYC approaches.

What are the benefits of Video KYC?

Video KYC is more accurate because automated algorithms can detect features and patterns that are invisible to the human eye. There are several ways that serve as a benefit of Video KYC;

• It is extremely effective at preventing deep fake, spoofing and other identity frauds.
• It saves both time and cost for an individual as well as a company.
• It helps onboard users safely and securely.
• It eliminates the need for physical presence, allowing identity verification remotely.
• Video Kyc solution providers guarantee the security of video calls and data, adhering to rigorous regulatory standards.
• It is beneficial for individuals as well as banks and financial institutions.

The video KYC process involves a live video call between a user and a verification agent. During the call, the role of the agent is to review the customer’s identity documents, such as passports or driver’s licences, ensuring their authenticity. This real-time interaction enhances the accuracy of identity verification and reduces the risk of fraud.

It saves resources and helps in customer onboarding, becoming a win-win situation for both businesses and users.

Importance of Video KYC in Different Countries

Video KYC has taken the lead due to their immense transformative impact in the field of digital identity verification. Here are a few countries that have made Video KYC mandatory in digital identity verification procedures-

1. Germany- Video KYC has been a part of their regulatory landscape since 2015 when Germany’s financial regulatory body (BaFin) introduced Video KYC requirements for remote verification.
2. Spain- Since 2018, SEPBLAC, their AML authority, has demanded an authorised Video KYC process for financial institutions.
3. India- According to Section 18 of India’s Master Direction on KYC, financial institutions and banks have to include Video KYC in their verification processes mandatorily. They are also told to include Video KYC, specifically in the form of Video KYC interviews.
4. European Union- It has been made compulsory in the European Union that a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) will only be granted on one condition when the individual has undergone a video verification.
5. United States- Video KYC has entered various sectors, including Fintech, healthcare and banks. Companies are dependent on video KYC platforms to verify the identities of customers and patients, ensuring data security and regulatory compliance.

Many national anti-money laundering (AML) laws require or allow video KYC for high-risk customers and transactions. Here are some jurisdictions where video identification can be used for KYC:

• Australia
• Germany
• Canada
• India
• Ireland
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Korea
• United Kingdom
• United States

Conclusion

Video KYC solutions have built a position of their own in this digital era. Video KYC companies have played a vital role in making these solutions accessible across various industries and countries. The transformation from traditional KYC methods to Video KYC has also been remarkable. From Germany to the United States, Video KYC is becoming a mandatory component of the identity verification process, further validating its role as the future of digital identity verification.

More About Us

IDMlive is an innovative solution offered by IDMERIT, revolutionising the KYC process for video verification. IDMlive not only verifies an individual’s presence but also features the ongoing verification process at the dashboard. It also ensures compliance with several regulations like KYC, GDPR, and AML.

If you are seeking an efficient video KYC solution to authenticate your customers’ identities, IDMERIT’s Identity Verification platform is worth looking at. Reach out to one of our Identity Experts and get a no cost, no commitment product demonstration along with consultation tailored to your specific needs.

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