Indian anti-money laundering agency, Enforcement Directorate (ED), raided the premises of CoinSwitch Kuber, one of the largest local cryptocurrency exchanges, under the suspension of forex law violations.
The agency searched five premises linked to the crypto exchange, including office facilities and residences of directors and the CEO. CoinSwitch allegedly violated the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) with the acquisition of shares of over 20 billion rupees ($250 million).
According to Bloomberg, the exchange was found to be violating certain know-your-customer (KYC
Know Your Customer (KYC)
Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process via which the broker is verifying the true identity of its clients in order to comply with multiple regulations. KYC is used to assess the suitability of customers when it comes to anti-money laundering regulations, any type of financial fraud and determining whether they are potentially risky for the brokerage.In particular, KYC guidelines in financial services mandate that individuals make a cohesive effort to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship. KYC processes are also utilized by companies for the purpose of ensuring their proposed customers, agents, consultants, or distributors are anti-bribery compliant. In an age of identity theft and myriad hacking, KYC has become a major emphasis by regulators.As such, banks, insurers, export creditors and other financial institutions are increasingly demanding that customers provide detailed due diligence information. These regulations had initially been imposed only on the financial institutions, having now extended to the non-financial industry, fintech, virtual assets dealers, and many non-profit organizations.Regulators Taking No Chances with Identities Regulated brokers in the retail industry are very stringent when applying appropriate KYC verifications after financial watchdogs worldwide have become stricter in monitoring their compliance with the procedure in recent years. Not only brokers use KYC, the procedure is also widely used by banks, and any financial companies that provide insurance or credit and require appropriate due diligence. Most major jurisdictions in the financial space mandate KYC requirements as well as all regulated brokers.The vast majority of these countries have adopted KYC standards as mandatory only during the past two decades. This has helped curb illicit behavior and has become a fixture of the industry.
Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process via which the broker is verifying the true identity of its clients in order to comply with multiple regulations. KYC is used to assess the suitability of customers when it comes to anti-money laundering regulations, any type of financial fraud and determining whether they are potentially risky for the brokerage.In particular, KYC guidelines in financial services mandate that individuals make a cohesive effort to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship. KYC processes are also utilized by companies for the purpose of ensuring their proposed customers, agents, consultants, or distributors are anti-bribery compliant. In an age of identity theft and myriad hacking, KYC has become a major emphasis by regulators.As such, banks, insurers, export creditors and other financial institutions are increasingly demanding that customers provide detailed due diligence information. These regulations had initially been imposed only on the financial institutions, having now extended to the non-financial industry, fintech, virtual assets dealers, and many non-profit organizations.Regulators Taking No Chances with Identities Regulated brokers in the retail industry are very stringent when applying appropriate KYC verifications after financial watchdogs worldwide have become stricter in monitoring their compliance with the procedure in recent years. Not only brokers use KYC, the procedure is also widely used by banks, and any financial companies that provide insurance or credit and require appropriate due diligence. Most major jurisdictions in the financial space mandate KYC requirements as well as all regulated brokers.The vast majority of these countries have adopted KYC standards as mandatory only during the past two decades. This has helped curb illicit behavior and has become a fixture of the industry.
Read this Term) norms.
“We are looking into multiple possible contraventions under FEMA and other entities that are connected to it,” an ED official told the crypto-focused publication, Coindesk. “Since we did not receive the desired cooperation, we have conducted searches on (residences) of directors, the CEO, and the official premises.”
A Crypto Unicorn
The popularity of CoinSwitch exploded after the Indian Supreme Court decided against a banking ban on crypto platforms. The exchange is backed by Tiger Global, Sequoia and Coinbase Ventures, and it became a unicorn startup
Startup
A company operating within its first stage of investing is known as a startup. While startups may give the impression that the company must be new, that is not always the case.Many companies can have this designation after nearly three years of existence. Typically, a company exits the startup status after a period between 3 to 5 years or after successful funding rounds where capital is acquired. Startups tend to derive out of the belief that there is a demand for a service or product which is created by at least one or more entrepreneurs. These seek capital as a means to bypass a limited availability of capital and combat high costs. This is why startups seek funding from funding rounds, crowdfunding, venture capitalists, financial institutions, or other sources. What Makes Startups Successful?Given the fact that most startups fail, the first three years of a startup are critical which is why startup founders require capital for talent acquisition, creating effective business models and plans.In parallel it is important to provide proof-of-concept for the long-term through an established user base and consistent revenue streams. Many startups use seed funding, which occurs during the first stage of funding rounds, where fundraised capital is used to conduct market research and product or service development.Sometimes, startups go through an acquisition process, where they merge larger companies competing in a similar industry. Companies that generate less than $20 million annually, possess less than 80 employees, and are primarily controlled by the founding entrepreneur(s) are generally classified as startups. Today, some of the world’s most successful companies started as startups, such as Facebook, Uber, and SpaceX to name a few.
A company operating within its first stage of investing is known as a startup. While startups may give the impression that the company must be new, that is not always the case.Many companies can have this designation after nearly three years of existence. Typically, a company exits the startup status after a period between 3 to 5 years or after successful funding rounds where capital is acquired. Startups tend to derive out of the belief that there is a demand for a service or product which is created by at least one or more entrepreneurs. These seek capital as a means to bypass a limited availability of capital and combat high costs. This is why startups seek funding from funding rounds, crowdfunding, venture capitalists, financial institutions, or other sources. What Makes Startups Successful?Given the fact that most startups fail, the first three years of a startup are critical which is why startup founders require capital for talent acquisition, creating effective business models and plans.In parallel it is important to provide proof-of-concept for the long-term through an established user base and consistent revenue streams. Many startups use seed funding, which occurs during the first stage of funding rounds, where fundraised capital is used to conduct market research and product or service development.Sometimes, startups go through an acquisition process, where they merge larger companies competing in a similar industry. Companies that generate less than $20 million annually, possess less than 80 employees, and are primarily controlled by the founding entrepreneur(s) are generally classified as startups. Today, some of the world’s most successful companies started as startups, such as Facebook, Uber, and SpaceX to name a few.
Read this Term last year after an Andreessen Horowitz-led funding round.
“We receive queries from various government agencies,” a CoinSwitch spokesperson said in a statement sent to media platforms. “Our approach has always been that of transparency. Crypto is an early-stage industry with a lot of potential, and we continuously engage with all stakeholders.”
The latest ED action against a crypto exchange is not the first in India. Earlier this month, the anti-money laundering agency froze $8.2 million worth of assets linked to WazirX, another major Indian crypto exchange, for its connection to illegal instant lending apps and raided one of its directors.
Moreover, WazirX received a notice earlier for alleged forex law violations involving digital currencies worth 27.9 billion rupees ($382 million). Furthermore, the agency took action against Vauld, a troubled Singapore-based crypto lender, and froze nearly $46 million worth of assets.
Indian anti-money laundering agency, Enforcement Directorate (ED), raided the premises of CoinSwitch Kuber, one of the largest local cryptocurrency exchanges, under the suspension of forex law violations.
The agency searched five premises linked to the crypto exchange, including office facilities and residences of directors and the CEO. CoinSwitch allegedly violated the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) with the acquisition of shares of over 20 billion rupees ($250 million).
According to Bloomberg, the exchange was found to be violating certain know-your-customer (KYC
Know Your Customer (KYC)
Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process via which the broker is verifying the true identity of its clients in order to comply with multiple regulations. KYC is used to assess the suitability of customers when it comes to anti-money laundering regulations, any type of financial fraud and determining whether they are potentially risky for the brokerage.In particular, KYC guidelines in financial services mandate that individuals make a cohesive effort to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship. KYC processes are also utilized by companies for the purpose of ensuring their proposed customers, agents, consultants, or distributors are anti-bribery compliant. In an age of identity theft and myriad hacking, KYC has become a major emphasis by regulators.As such, banks, insurers, export creditors and other financial institutions are increasingly demanding that customers provide detailed due diligence information. These regulations had initially been imposed only on the financial institutions, having now extended to the non-financial industry, fintech, virtual assets dealers, and many non-profit organizations.Regulators Taking No Chances with Identities Regulated brokers in the retail industry are very stringent when applying appropriate KYC verifications after financial watchdogs worldwide have become stricter in monitoring their compliance with the procedure in recent years. Not only brokers use KYC, the procedure is also widely used by banks, and any financial companies that provide insurance or credit and require appropriate due diligence. Most major jurisdictions in the financial space mandate KYC requirements as well as all regulated brokers.The vast majority of these countries have adopted KYC standards as mandatory only during the past two decades. This has helped curb illicit behavior and has become a fixture of the industry.
Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process via which the broker is verifying the true identity of its clients in order to comply with multiple regulations. KYC is used to assess the suitability of customers when it comes to anti-money laundering regulations, any type of financial fraud and determining whether they are potentially risky for the brokerage.In particular, KYC guidelines in financial services mandate that individuals make a cohesive effort to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship. KYC processes are also utilized by companies for the purpose of ensuring their proposed customers, agents, consultants, or distributors are anti-bribery compliant. In an age of identity theft and myriad hacking, KYC has become a major emphasis by regulators.As such, banks, insurers, export creditors and other financial institutions are increasingly demanding that customers provide detailed due diligence information. These regulations had initially been imposed only on the financial institutions, having now extended to the non-financial industry, fintech, virtual assets dealers, and many non-profit organizations.Regulators Taking No Chances with Identities Regulated brokers in the retail industry are very stringent when applying appropriate KYC verifications after financial watchdogs worldwide have become stricter in monitoring their compliance with the procedure in recent years. Not only brokers use KYC, the procedure is also widely used by banks, and any financial companies that provide insurance or credit and require appropriate due diligence. Most major jurisdictions in the financial space mandate KYC requirements as well as all regulated brokers.The vast majority of these countries have adopted KYC standards as mandatory only during the past two decades. This has helped curb illicit behavior and has become a fixture of the industry.
Read this Term) norms.
“We are looking into multiple possible contraventions under FEMA and other entities that are connected to it,” an ED official told the crypto-focused publication, Coindesk. “Since we did not receive the desired cooperation, we have conducted searches on (residences) of directors, the CEO, and the official premises.”
A Crypto Unicorn
The popularity of CoinSwitch exploded after the Indian Supreme Court decided against a banking ban on crypto platforms. The exchange is backed by Tiger Global, Sequoia and Coinbase Ventures, and it became a unicorn startup
Startup
A company operating within its first stage of investing is known as a startup. While startups may give the impression that the company must be new, that is not always the case.Many companies can have this designation after nearly three years of existence. Typically, a company exits the startup status after a period between 3 to 5 years or after successful funding rounds where capital is acquired. Startups tend to derive out of the belief that there is a demand for a service or product which is created by at least one or more entrepreneurs. These seek capital as a means to bypass a limited availability of capital and combat high costs. This is why startups seek funding from funding rounds, crowdfunding, venture capitalists, financial institutions, or other sources. What Makes Startups Successful?Given the fact that most startups fail, the first three years of a startup are critical which is why startup founders require capital for talent acquisition, creating effective business models and plans.In parallel it is important to provide proof-of-concept for the long-term through an established user base and consistent revenue streams. Many startups use seed funding, which occurs during the first stage of funding rounds, where fundraised capital is used to conduct market research and product or service development.Sometimes, startups go through an acquisition process, where they merge larger companies competing in a similar industry. Companies that generate less than $20 million annually, possess less than 80 employees, and are primarily controlled by the founding entrepreneur(s) are generally classified as startups. Today, some of the world’s most successful companies started as startups, such as Facebook, Uber, and SpaceX to name a few.
A company operating within its first stage of investing is known as a startup. While startups may give the impression that the company must be new, that is not always the case.Many companies can have this designation after nearly three years of existence. Typically, a company exits the startup status after a period between 3 to 5 years or after successful funding rounds where capital is acquired. Startups tend to derive out of the belief that there is a demand for a service or product which is created by at least one or more entrepreneurs. These seek capital as a means to bypass a limited availability of capital and combat high costs. This is why startups seek funding from funding rounds, crowdfunding, venture capitalists, financial institutions, or other sources. What Makes Startups Successful?Given the fact that most startups fail, the first three years of a startup are critical which is why startup founders require capital for talent acquisition, creating effective business models and plans.In parallel it is important to provide proof-of-concept for the long-term through an established user base and consistent revenue streams. Many startups use seed funding, which occurs during the first stage of funding rounds, where fundraised capital is used to conduct market research and product or service development.Sometimes, startups go through an acquisition process, where they merge larger companies competing in a similar industry. Companies that generate less than $20 million annually, possess less than 80 employees, and are primarily controlled by the founding entrepreneur(s) are generally classified as startups. Today, some of the world’s most successful companies started as startups, such as Facebook, Uber, and SpaceX to name a few.
Read this Term last year after an Andreessen Horowitz-led funding round.
“We receive queries from various government agencies,” a CoinSwitch spokesperson said in a statement sent to media platforms. “Our approach has always been that of transparency. Crypto is an early-stage industry with a lot of potential, and we continuously engage with all stakeholders.”
The latest ED action against a crypto exchange is not the first in India. Earlier this month, the anti-money laundering agency froze $8.2 million worth of assets linked to WazirX, another major Indian crypto exchange, for its connection to illegal instant lending apps and raided one of its directors.
Moreover, WazirX received a notice earlier for alleged forex law violations involving digital currencies worth 27.9 billion rupees ($382 million). Furthermore, the agency took action against Vauld, a troubled Singapore-based crypto lender, and froze nearly $46 million worth of assets.
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