The Top 10  Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification

The Top 10  Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification

Download Report

    n-img-roi-cross

    Before You Go, Schedule Your Free Demo Today

    Valid Invalid number


    Note: Fields marked with an asterisk(*) are mandatory.

    n-exit-img-roi-cross

    Thank you for your demo request

    We appreciate your interest and look forward to discussing how our solution can meet your needs. Expect to hear from us shortly with scheduling details.

    Close

    FCA Hints Why only 15% of Crypto Firms Received Regulatory Approval

    n-img-fca

    The UK financial watchdog has approved only 41 registration applications of crypto firms out of 300 applicants.

    Despite all the programs to turn the region into a crypto hub, UK’s FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has only cleared 41 registration out of 300 crypto firms seeking regulatory approval to operate. 

    The UK watchdog implemented new crypto-focused regulations on 10th January 2020 just to supervise the existing firms operating in the sector to ensure AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CTF (Counter-terrorism Financing) compliance in traditional financial markets. 

    A statement from FCA has revealed that out of 265 applications that were “determined” only 15% of applications were approved by the authority, 74% of firms either refused or withdrew the application, while the 11% were rejected. Other 35 applications are yet to be analysed and determined. 

    While the FCA did not mention the actual cause of rejecting the licensing, it did provide feedback on “good and poor quality” applications. 

    Incomplete applications were more apparent when the firms used these to promote their products and services, particularly in cases when the application process was still ongoing.

    “Applicants’ websites and marketing material must not include language that gives the impression that making an application for registration is a form of endorsement or recommendation by the FCA.”

    The reports suggest that some firms have had their applications scrapped if they couldn’t show reliable operations sufficient enough to comply with regulatory protocols. The FCA also doubled its AML stance, demanding that all firms appoint a money laundering reporting officer who is “fully involved” in the application process. 

    The UK’s watchdog also stressed that even firms that had their registrations approved do not mean they are free from obligations. 

    “Applicants must recognize that being registered is not a one-off formality or a tick-box exercise without any further obligations or interaction with the FCA.”

    “This feedback should help applicants when they prepare their application for registration and help make the process as simple and efficient as possible,” the note summarised.

    Firms registered under the FCA thus far include Crypto.com, Revolut, CEX.IO, eToro, Wintermute Trading, DRW Global Markets, Copper, Globalblock, Moneybrain, and Zodia Markets. 

    Suggested Read:

    FCA Fines Gatehouse Bank £1.58mn for Breaching Money Laundering Regulations

    FCA Fines Santander and Metro Bank for AML Compliance Gaps

    FCA Fines Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank Over AML Control Failures

    Related Posts

    News

    FATF’s New Regulations Will Help Sanctions Find Russian Targets

    The Financial Action Task Force’s drive to eliminate the anonymity of corporate beneficiaries mak...

    FATF’s New Regulations Will Help Sanctions Find Russian Targets Explore More

    News

    UK’s Financial Watchdog Goes Real-time to Catch Online Criminals

    The FCA is sweeping the internet on a day-to-day basis to pull out cybercriminals, as the number ...

    UK’s Financial Watchdog Goes Real-time to Catch Online Criminals Explore More

    News

    FinCEN to Expand GTOs on All-cash Real Estate Purchases to Stop Money Laundering

    The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has announced the expansion of its GTOs. The ne...

    FinCEN to Expand GTOs on All-cash Real Estate Purchases to Stop Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Visa and BlockFi Team Up to Launch Bitcoin Rewards for Credit Card Users

    As digital currencies are entering different regions of the world, financial giants are introduci...

    Visa and BlockFi Team Up to Launch Bitcoin Rewards for Credit Card Users Explore More

    News

    US Treasury Targets Russian Oligarchs as Part of New to Tackle Illicit Finance

    Strategy imposed by the US Treasury to combat illicit finance targets Russian Obligarch as part o...

    US Treasury Targets Russian Oligarchs as Part of New to Tackle Illicit Finance Explore More

    News

    FinCEN Hires First-Ever Chief Digital Currency Advisor to Curb Crypto Crime

    To eliminate the misuse of cryptocurrencies, Michele Korver has been appointed by FinCEN as the C...

    FinCEN Hires First-Ever Chief Digital Currency Advisor to Curb Crypto Crime Explore More

    News

    Betting and Gambling Council Host AML Training for Gambling Industry

    During the Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training day on September 6th, the Bettin...

    Betting and Gambling Council Host AML Training for Gambling Industry Explore More

    News

    Financial Watchdogs Flags Crypto Mixer Stoking as a Potential Risk For Money Laundering

    Cryptocurrencies are highly criticized by financial watchdogs and governments for potential risk ...

    Financial Watchdogs Flags Crypto Mixer Stoking as a Potential Risk For Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Agency Fines RBC $7.4M

    Canada’s anti-money laundering regulatory body imposed a C$7.4 million penalty on the Royal Bank ...

    Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Agency Fines RBC $7.4M Explore More

    News

    Regional Watchdog Assesses the AML Protocols Followed by Liberia to Fight Money Laundering

    The Financial Intelligence Unit of Liberia has established the Inter-governmental Action Group Ag...

    Regional Watchdog Assesses the AML Protocols Followed by Liberia to Fight Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Hong Kong further strengthens its Cryptocurrency regulations

    Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, stated that the country was considering to stren...

    Hong Kong further strengthens its Cryptocurrency regulations Explore More

    News

    Scammers Stealing Kids’ Identities By Offering ‘Free Child Safety Kids”

    The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning parents to be aware of ‘free child safety kits’ as sc...

    Scammers Stealing Kids’ Identities By Offering ‘Free Child Safety Kids” Explore More

    News

    Federal Prosecutors to End Criminal Investigations on Gambling Site ‘5Dimes’

    5Dimes is a Costa Rica-based online gambling site that took bets from the US clients illegally. P...

    Federal Prosecutors to End Criminal Investigations on Gambling Site ‘5Dimes’ Explore More

    News

    Archipelago Trading Fined $1.5 Million for SAR and AML Failings

    The US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) fined the Archipelago Trading company over the shor...

    Archipelago Trading Fined $1.5 Million for SAR and AML Failings Explore More

    News

    Brazil to Adopt Tougher Penalties to Curb Money Laundering via Digital Currencies

    The fine for digital currency money laundering in Brazil is set to be raised to two-thirds of the...

    Brazil to Adopt Tougher Penalties to Curb Money Laundering via Digital Currencies Explore More

    News

    Finance Minister Şimşek States Turkey will Devote Itself to the Prevention of Money Laundering

    Deputy Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that Türkiye would counter terrorist fi...

    Finance Minister Şimşek States Turkey will Devote Itself to the Prevention of Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    FIAU Slaps Triton Capital Markets Limited with €227,000 Fine for AML/CTF Breaches

    The Financial Services Analysis Unit (FIAU) FIAU has fined Triton Capital Markets Limited  €227,0...

    FIAU Slaps Triton Capital Markets Limited with €227,000 Fine for AML/CTF Breaches Explore More

    News

    Deutsche Bank Subordinate DWS Fined $25 Million for AML Violations

    In the latest enforcement action, the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) has fined $25 million to...

    Deutsche Bank Subordinate DWS Fined $25 Million for AML Violations Explore More

    News

    Global Plight: Australia Paves the Way for Money Laundering in the Property

    Australia facilitates money laundering through the property, causing a global plight and perpetua...

    Global Plight: Australia Paves the Way for Money Laundering in the Property Explore More

    News

    FMA Sues Tiger Brokers for AML/CTF Breaches

    The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has filed court proceedings against Tiger Brokers for alleg...

    FMA Sues Tiger Brokers for AML/CTF Breaches Explore More

    News

    WhatsApp Receives Fine Worth $267m for Breaching EU’s Data Privacy Law

    Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has stated that WhatsApp failed to inform EU citizens suffic...

    WhatsApp Receives Fine Worth $267m for Breaching EU’s Data Privacy Law Explore More

    News

    RBI Allows Multinational Banks to Retain Limited Data Abroad for AML Screening

    KYC data can be retained in offshore bank branches for the purpose of sanctions and AML screening...

    News

    New KYC and AML Compliance May Violate Privacy Laws in South Korea

    The South Korean government is considering implementing KYC and AML compliance in the region, but...

    New KYC and AML Compliance May Violate Privacy Laws in South Korea Explore More

    News

    UAE Authorities to Coordinate Efforts Against ML/TF Among NPOs

    The UAE’s Ministry of Community Development and the Financial Intelligence Unit have established ...

    UAE Authorities to Coordinate Efforts Against ML/TF Among NPOs Explore More

    News

    G-20 impels countries to adopt tough FATF Regulations on Cryptocurrencies

    Bankers and finance ministers in the G-20 (Group of Twenty) are urging for greater acceptance of ...

    G-20 impels countries to adopt tough FATF Regulations on Cryptocurrencies Explore More

    News

    EU Sets a New Limit on Cash Transactions to Curb Financial Crimes

    The EU countries have signed an agreement according to which the crypto-service providers must co...

    EU Sets a New Limit on Cash Transactions to Curb Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    Fake Vaccination Certificates Becoming a Full-blown Industry in 29 Countries

    Thousands of fake vaccination certificates are being sold on the dark web, and through the messag...

    Fake Vaccination Certificates Becoming a Full-blown Industry in 29 Countries Explore More

    News

    Data Security at Risk Due to the Fake Lending Apps

    Gained network access, pictures, and contact information are at threat due to the fake lending ap...

    Data Security at Risk Due to the Fake Lending Apps Explore More

    News

    UK to End “Golden Visa” Regime to Tackle Money Laundering

    The UK is looking to scrap its so-called “Golden Visa” regime in a short period as Russian action...

    UK to End “Golden Visa” Regime to Tackle Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    US Senators Push Congress to Regulate Crypto Amid FTX Turmoil

    US senators have urged Congress to regulate cryptocurrencies under current financial regulations ...

    US Senators Push Congress to Regulate Crypto Amid FTX Turmoil Explore More

    News

    Founders of BitMEX Penalised for Their Inefficacy in Preventing Money Laundering

    Arthur Hayes, Benjamin, Delo, and Samuel Reed – the co-founders of BitMEX charged for viola...

    Founders of BitMEX Penalised for Their Inefficacy in Preventing Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    FCA Imposed a $1.05M fine on Barclays Bank for “Oversight Failings”

    The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on Monday revealed that it imposed a fine of 783,800 p...

    FCA Imposed a $1.05M fine on Barclays Bank for “Oversight Failings” Explore More

    News

    Central Valley Towns Become the Hot Spot of Identity Theft

    A new report identifies a small number of Central Valley towns with the highest incidence of iden...

    Central Valley Towns Become the Hot Spot of Identity Theft Explore More

    News

    FinCEN Launches Regulatory Process For AML Regulation on Antiquities

    The ANPRM discusses how antiquities trade can be exploited by money launderers and terrorist fina...

    FinCEN Launches Regulatory Process For AML Regulation on Antiquities Explore More

    News

    11 Arrested for the First Money Laundering Case Using Digital Yuan

    Chinese security officials have arrested 11 suspects in the first Central Bank Digital Currency (...

    11 Arrested for the First Money Laundering Case Using Digital Yuan Explore More

    News

    Taiwan Initiates Industry Association to Regulate Cryptocurrency Sector

    Nine crypto exchange platforms formed a group to create an industry association to regulate Taiwa...

    Taiwan Initiates Industry Association to Regulate Cryptocurrency Sector Explore More

    News

    Bitcoin scam exposes thousands to a data breach

    Fraud websites have successfully stolen the personal records of a number of individuals from the ...

    Bitcoin scam exposes thousands to a data breach Explore More

    News

    ABA House of Delegates Amends the AML Model Rule to Curb Financial Crimes

    The House of Delegates amended the ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16, which covers decl...

    ABA House of Delegates Amends the AML Model Rule to Curb Financial Crimes Explore More

    News

    Members of Spalding Club Charged for Money Laundering Through Investment Scheme

    Lincolnshire police reported suspected fraud cases in connection with a trading-based investment ...

    Members of Spalding Club Charged for Money Laundering Through Investment Scheme Explore More

    News

    FCA Fines TJM Partnership Limited £2 Million for Money Laundering

    The Financial Conduct Authority has fined the investment firm TJM Partnership Limited £2m for ser...

    FCA Fines TJM Partnership Limited £2 Million for Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    Labor Party Victim of a Second Cyber-Attack

    Britain’s Labour Party has informed that it had been a victim of a large-scale cyberattack on its...

    Labor Party Victim of a Second Cyber-Attack Explore More

    News

    Money Laundering Ring Pushed $4bn through 60 HSBC Accounts within 2 Years

    60 HSBC accounts were used to launder USD 4.2 billion in Hong Kong.  An investigation carried out...

    Money Laundering Ring Pushed $4bn through 60 HSBC Accounts within 2 Years Explore More

    News

    Cryptocurrency criminals are lurking on Youtube

    Cryptocurrency criminals are lurking on YouTube, a recent lawsuit filed by Apple co-founder Steve...

    Cryptocurrency criminals are lurking on Youtube Explore More

    News

    Australian Federal Police to Establish a Cryptocurrency Unit to Combat Money Laundering

    AFP rolled out a dedicated crypto unit to combat monetary scams by fraudsters. According to AFP, ...

    Australian Federal Police to Establish a Cryptocurrency Unit to Combat Money Laundering Explore More

    News

    The Chinese central bank confirms digital Yuan mobile app trials

    According to a statement, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) conducts internal tests for the natio...

    The Chinese central bank confirms digital Yuan mobile app trials Explore More

    News

    Saudi Arabia Uncovers Massive Fraud worth SR11.5 Billion

    Law enforcement authorities in Saudi Arabia arrested at least 32 suspects including businessmen, ...

    Saudi Arabia Uncovers Massive Fraud worth SR11.5 Billion Explore More

    News

    SEC Enforces Srilankan Compliance Officers To Conduct Adequate AML Measures

    The Security Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SECS) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently ar...

    SEC Enforces Srilankan Compliance Officers To Conduct Adequate AML Measures Explore More

    News

    Investment Scams Rising Through Fake Celebrity Endorsements

    Financial fraud through celebrity endorsement is becoming a primary concern as one in six firms o...

    Investment Scams Rising Through Fake Celebrity Endorsements Explore More

    News

    Anti-Money Laundering Initiative in Ireland Extended to Bitcoin

    Cryptocurrency buyers and sellers in Ireland, under the new anti-money laundering regime, will no...

    Anti-Money Laundering Initiative in Ireland Extended to Bitcoin Explore More

    News

    Rabobank Fined EUR 500K for Ineffective KYC Compliance

    The Dutch Central Bank (DNB) instructed Rabobank to enhance their CDD, transaction monitoring, an...

    Rabobank Fined EUR 500K for Ineffective KYC Compliance Explore More

    News

    Ex-Microsoft engineer accused of digital currency scam

    Ukrainian citizen, Volodymyr Kvashuk, has been accused of six counts of money laundering, five of...

    Ex-Microsoft engineer accused of digital currency scam Explore More

    News

    Alibaba copyrights blockchain system that detects music copycats

    Granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 21, the method as described by the Chine...

    Alibaba copyrights blockchain system that detects music copycats Explore More

    News

    Ransomware attacks increase as more people work from home

    According to a study published by the cybersecurity firm, Proofpoint, there has been an increase ...

    Ransomware attacks increase as more people work from home Explore More

    News

    Hong Kong to Implement Background Checks for Accounting Students

    Police will carry out a detailed background check of the students that plan on pursuing accountin...

    Hong Kong to Implement Background Checks for Accounting Students Explore More

    News

    “Lack of Face-to-Face Verification is a Risk for FIs”, Reported MAS & ABS

    Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Association of Banks in Singapore (BAS) have publis...

    “Lack of Face-to-Face Verification is a Risk for FIs”, Reported MAS & ABS Explore More

    News

    Taiwan Bans Four Foreign Banks for Breaching FX Regulations

    The Central Bank of Taiwan has penalized four foreign banks for assisting 8 major grain companies...

    Taiwan Bans Four Foreign Banks for Breaching FX Regulations Explore More

    News

    Joint ATO Operation Busts $137m Fraud Ring

    The Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) have jointly i...

    Joint ATO Operation Busts $137m Fraud Ring Explore More

    News

    AML investigation results in NZ police freezing $140 million

    Police have collected $140 million from the Canton Business Corporation and its owner Alexander V...

    AML investigation results in NZ police freezing $140 million Explore More

    News

    CBN Introduces New Anti-Money Laundering Rules for Microfinance Banks

    The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a guidance note that is aimed to prevent money laundering ...

    CBN Introduces New Anti-Money Laundering Rules for Microfinance Banks Explore More

    News

    U.S Congress Suspects the Use of Bitcoin to Fund Domestic Terrorism

    U.S Congress subcommittee worries that Bitcoin might have been used in funding the Capitol revolt...

    U.S Congress Suspects the Use of Bitcoin to Fund Domestic Terrorism Explore More

    News

    FinCEN and FDIC to Test the Effectiveness of Digital ID Verification Tools

    Two federal regulators – the FinCEN and FDIC have called for a ‘tech sprint’ to assess the ...

    FinCEN and FDIC to Test the Effectiveness of Digital ID Verification Tools Explore More

    News

    SA Banks at High Risk of Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing, Says Prudential Authority Report

    South African banks have moved up into the high-risk category in the new report from the Prudenti...

    SA Banks at High Risk of Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing, Says Prudential Authority Report Explore More

    News

    Coinbase Agrees to $100Million Settlement with NYDFS for AML Violations

    Coinbase, The American cryptocurrency exchange platform, has agreed to pay $100 million in a sett...

    Coinbase Agrees to $100Million Settlement with NYDFS for AML Violations Explore More

    News

    The UK Introduces New Bill to Combat Identity Fraud and Financial Crime

    The UK government has launched a bill to prevent the flow of dirty money through its economy by c...

    The UK Introduces New Bill to Combat Identity Fraud and Financial Crime Explore More

    News

    Dark Web Becomes a Haven for Insurance Fraud

    Dark Web has recently become a growing market for unemployment insurance fraud and fraudsters can...

    Dark Web Becomes a Haven for Insurance Fraud Explore More

    News

    UK Adopts new Methods to Fight Money Laundering Through Sanction Regime

    The UK declared a new sanction regime against financial crimes like money laundering. According t...

    UK Adopts new Methods to Fight Money Laundering Through Sanction Regime Explore More

    News

    Shufti Crosses One More Milestone With Its New Ukraine Office

    May 2021 – As part of our plan for global expansion, Shufti is thrilled to announce the...

    Shufti Crosses One More Milestone With Its New Ukraine Office Explore More

    News

    China’s Fight Against Rampant Telecom Scams – Cracked 5,94000 Cases in Just 15 Months

    China has passed a law to prevent telecom and online scams, allowing enforcement agencies to foll...

    China’s Fight Against Rampant Telecom Scams – Cracked 5,94000 Cases in Just 15 Months Explore More

    News

    California to Reopen its Economy with COVID Vaccine and Testing Requirements

    After more than a year of COVID-19 restrictions, the State of California to finally reopen its ec...

    California to Reopen its Economy with COVID Vaccine and Testing Requirements Explore More

    News

    US Ambassador Highlights how Liberia can Improve its AML/CFT Laws

    Monrovian embassy of the United States’s ambassador, Micheal A. McCarthy, supports the National R...

    US Ambassador Highlights how Liberia can Improve its AML/CFT Laws Explore More

    News

    Authorities Warn that the Current Crypto Landscape is Plagued with Scam

    According to the Connecticut State Police, the emerging virtual cryptocurrency market is prone to...

    Authorities Warn that the Current Crypto Landscape is Plagued with Scam Explore More

    News

    Crown Casinos Fined $450 Million for AML Failures

    Casino operator Crown should pay a fine of $450 million for 546 violations of anti-money launderi...

    Crown Casinos Fined $450 Million for AML Failures Explore More

    Take the next steps to better security.

    Contact us

    Get in touch with our experts. We'll help you find the perfect solution for your compliance and security needs.

    Contact us

    Request demo

    Get free access to our platform and try our products today.

    Get started