BCSC targets EU virtual asset platform i-Coin
The British Columbia Securities Commission issues regulatory warning against i-Coin, a European cryptocurrency trading platform
What Happened?
April 29, 2020: Estonia-based cryptocurrency trading platform i-Coin was found to have accepted funds from a British Columbia resident without being recognized as an exchange or registered as a dealer in B.C. According to Canadian legislation, i-Coin’s activities were regulated and the firm has been added to the IOSCO warnings list.
Source: https://www.bcsc.bc.ca/Enforcement/Investment_Caution_List/i-Coin/
Who Is Impacted?
Cryptocurrency trading platforms and virtual asset service providers (VASPs) serving Canadian residents.
Why This Matters?
Many VASPs continue to operate on a global basis, without securing the required licenses or implementing the required KYC and AML compliance systems of the jurisdictions in which they accept users. This enforcement measure signals the importance for businesses to properly secure licensing in every jurisdiction they will accepting users.
What’s Next?
By adding i-Coin to the Investment Caution List, the BCSC has sent a clear message that these practices–although common in the cryptocurrency and fintech industries–are unlawful practices and can result in public enforcement.
VASPs who serve any Canadian user should seek legal and compliance advice from local experts to ensure they have the appropriate license for every jurisdiction in Canada.
learn more
Is your AML compliance too expensive, time-consuming, or ineffective?
iComply enables financial services providers to reduce costs, risk, and complexity and improve staff capacity, effectiveness, and customer experience.
Request a demo today.
Why Do We Need AML?
Within the crypto community, many people express negativity toward KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) procedures. There are a variety of reasons for this, but much of this stems from the underlying reality that the results of Suspicious Activity...
Seven Myths About Security Tokens
As blockchain technology continues to mature, issuers today can launch a security token more efficiently than ever. However, while there are many tools on the market that can help you issue a token as a security, most of these tools fall short, leaving issuers to...
5 Takeaways from the SEC Statement on Digital Asset Securities Issuance and Trading
Recently the U.S. SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance, Division of Investment Management and Division of Trading and Markets released a statement following the enforcement actions against companies Airfox, Paragon, CryptoAsset Management, TokenLot, and the founder...
