FinCEN Director Examines Virtual Currency Regulatory Obligations

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) Director Kenneth A. Blanco outlined agency efforts to protect financial institutions from fraud relating to new uses of financial technology, and described “how FinCEN is approaching virtual currency.”

Mr. Blanco emphasized FinCEN’s jurisdiction over virtual currency stating: “individuals and entities engaged in the business of accepting and transmitting physical currency or convertible virtual currency from one person to another or to another location are money transmitters subject to the AML/CFT requirements of the BSA and its implementing regulations.”

In remarks delivered at the 2018 Chicago-Kent Block Tech Conference, Mr. Blanco argued that innovation in financial services is a double-edged sword: it provides customers with greater access to various services but it can create opportunities for criminals. Mr. Blanco declared that FinCEN is focused on (i) expanding its understanding in the rapidly developing technological landscape, (ii) identifying risks, (iii) closing gaps and (iv) fostering smart innovation. FinCEN is also working to establish information-sharing programs such as FinCEN Exchange, related cyber defense programs and increased suspicious activity reports (“SARs”) to help the financial services sector protect itself from threats.

Mr. Blanco recounted FinCEN’s efforts as to virtual currency and initial coin offerings, including a listing of each of the major FinCEN administrative rulings as to the treatment of such products. In particular, Mr. Blanco stated that FinCEN expects businesses involved in initial coin offerings to meet all of their obligations in regard to anti-money laundering (“AML”) and combating the financing of terrorism. Mr. Blanco noted that financial institutions have been more active in the past couple of years as demonstrated by the increase in filings of virtual currency SARs.

Lofchie Comment: Not that one more cautionary warning was needed, but here is another cautionary warning that all firms involved with virtual currency or initial coin offerings must be extremely diligent in their procedures as improper activities may result in violations of not only securities and commodities laws, but also in those regarding money laundering.