The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK has warned many players in the crypto industry that they are falling short of anti-money laundering expectations. FCA compliance has been a hot topic in the crypto industry due to the rapid growth seen in recent months, which is expected to continue in the coming years. The regulator has now extended the deadline for crypto companies to register with it until March 2022, but questions remain about compliance with regulations within this industry.
Standards Not Are Being Upheld
According to the FCA, a significant number of businesses operating within this industry are not upholding the standards required of them under the Money Laundering Regulations. The crypto industry is a relatively new one, and, as such, it has been a scramble for the FCA to bring it into line with current regulations.
The regulator first began accepting registrations from crypto companies in January 2020, but since then, just five businesses have successfully registered. Some businesses are now operating under temporary status, while still, more have withdrawn their applications altogether.
There is a distinct focus on ensuring that the crypto industry complies with money laundering regulations. Cryptocurrencies are often anonymous, used in transactions across borders, and sometimes for illicit activities like money laundering. The anonymity of the technology has made it a complicated sector for regulators to oversee.
By extending the registration deadline for such companies in the UK, the FCA has given itself some room to continue assessing the practices of companies in the industry while still allowing them to carry on operating.
An Ever-Changing Landscape
The crypto industry is a new one, so it has been difficult for regulations to keep up with its rapid growth. The FCA is constantly trying to adapt its practices to an evolving business world, however. As a result, many businesses have to comply with regularly changing regulations, which can be confusing.
Scott Roberts offers FCA compliance and strategic advice for companies that are often struggling to keep up with the ever-changing expectations of the FCA. This could be a valuable resource for many companies, especially considering that comments from the regulator seem to indicate a commitment to changing how the FCA operates.
The pandemic has exposed some of the issues present with the current regulatory practices. To help counteract this, the chairman of the FCA has stated there will be changes to how it operates. While this will ultimately lead to a better standard of protection, it will undoubtedly cause difficulties for those running companies as the rulebook is changed.
It is, therefore, not only crypto companies that will be struggling to keep up with regulatory changes but businesses across a wide array of industries. There is, however, a distinct focus from the FCA on the growing crypto industry, and the regulator will continue its efforts to ensure that it is safer for those investing in it. However, whether there will be a push from crypto companies to register remains to be seen, as few have done this so far.