KeyTakeaways:
- Europe’s crypto platforms impose strict KYC measures, causing transaction delays.
- Coinbase, OKX Europe require sender verification, including passport identification.
- The Travel Rule’s impact increases compliance challenges for crypto transactions in Europe.
Recent reports indicate that crypto platforms across Europe are introducing strict identification procedures for crypto transfers. These measures are designed to align with increasing regulatory compliance, specifically the Travel Rule, and are causing delays and challenges for users attempting to send or receive crypto in the region.
Multiple sources have highlighted the growing trend of heavy Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements being imposed by crypto platforms. These steps are reportedly aimed at curbing illegal activity and enhancing transparency in digital asset transactions.
Coinbase, for instance, has restricted transfers within Europe, limiting users’ ability to send crypto to recipients beyond their accounts. In addition, users are now required to sign a message to prove ownership when transferring crypto to a self-custodial wallet.
Further, when receiving crypto, users must verify the sender’s identity, including providing passport identification. This strict requirement also extends to funds transferred to a user’s Coinbase account from external sources, highlighting the enforced heightened security measures. Hasu, the strategy lead at Flashbots, expressed concerns about the possible freezing of accounts for non-compliance with these measures.
Self-Custodial Wallets Encounter Issues
Sam Harper, Argent’s General Counsel, reported facing similar challenges when processing transactions from self-custodial wallets. According to Harper, attempts to comply with the new verification measures were unsuccessful, as the system failed to recognize the signature from his self-custodial wallet. As a result, he ultimately abandoned the transaction.
Echoing these sentiments, blockchain developer Ignas noted that OKX Europe has introduced similar procedures. Crypto professionals are increasingly pointing to Europe as a region where conducting crypto transactions has become more difficult due to these compliance issues.
The Travel Rule: The Likely Cause
The root of these new restrictions is the implementation of the Travel Rule, which mandates that financial institutions share certain information about the sender and recipient in wire transfers. Armani Ferrante, CEO of Backpack, and crypto analyst Jordan Fish (Cobie) both pointed out that the stricter KYC measures align with the Travel Rule, making it more challenging for users to transfer crypto assets freely.
Travel Rule compliance is becoming mandatory in multiple jurisdictions, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issuing guidelines that push institutions to adhere to these requirements.
Regulatory shifts are also affecting traditional banking systems’ involvement with crypto. On January 7, Delphi Labs co-founder José Maria Macedo reported that one of Portugal’s largest banks, Banco of Investimentos Globais (BiG), informed its clients of a ban on fiat transfers to crypto platforms.
