Protecting Digital Assets with KYC

by Oct 6, 2022

Protecting Digital Assets with KYC

Oct 6, 2022 | Blog, KYC - Know Your Customer

Are your KYC protocols set up to protect your customers and your digital assets? With the digital world constantly evolving and new assets entering the market, ensuring that your due diligence and identity verification platforms are up to current regulations is essential for compliance, as well as optimal performance.

At iComply, we understand the integral role Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) protocols play in preventing fraud, money laundering, and the accidental funding of terrorists or other illicit activities. Our modular suite of digital KYC compliance tools is customizable for your specific needs and makes it easy to stay on top of changing legislation and ensure your clients have the best protection available.

Below, we’ll cover the 3 core principles behind digital asset protection, as well as the benefits of partnering with a vetted provider like iComply for your financial crime compliance needs.

Why Digital Asset Protection Matters

As more and more assets are translated into digital form, having the right protocols in place to manage who has access to what is essential. With the financial market seeing a shift towards decentralization as blockchain-based currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum grow in popularity, many other assets have begun to shift to digital safekeeping. Common examples of digital assets that need due diligence protocols in place for adequate security include:

  • Financial assets (investments, stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency)
  • Sensitive documentation
  • Any additional asset that can be stored digitally and identified/exchanged for real-world value offline

The advent of digital acquisition and trade has led to the increasing development of regulations in major locations like Europe, with Germany introducing multiple laws and the EU as a whole looking to implement MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations as well. As online investors continue to look for the latest, most innovative ways to grow and protect their assets, KYC and CDD platforms must be prepared to deal with the unique demands of a decentralized customer base, as well as the ever-growing threat posed by criminals that seek to use such methods/assets for their own illicit purposes.

Core Principles of Digital Asset Protection

When it comes to protecting digital assets, there are three fundamental objectives that must be in place for companies to safeguard their clients’ interests. These principles include:

Safekeeping

Digital assets must be protected against unlawful access points and parties. Whether dealing with standard investments or emerging crypto-technology, institutions that seek to house and distribute such assets should have digital protection top of mind at all times. In this regard, regulation compliance should be seen as an entry point to protection, not just a box that needs to be checked. Protection must evolve in tandem with legislation, trends, and emerging needs of your customers for optimal long-term results.

Accessibility

In addition to safeguarding assets, a viable platform must also make them accessible as needed to their clientele. Full-scale KYC programs play a key role in ensuring that organizations are able to safely and efficiently verify the identity of those wishing to interact with their platform and engage in the exchange of goods and services in a legal manner.

Compliance

Finally, digital asset managers must ensure that every level of their institution and practice is fully compliant with any and all jurisdictional standards, from identity verification to record-keeping and everything in between. Such measures are put in place to significantly reduce the chance of fraud, money laundering, and other criminal behaviour — failure to comply can lead to hefty fines, reputational damage, and significant repercussions for your customers.

Ensure Digital Asset Compliance with iComplyKYC

At iComply, we understand the importance of ensuring digital asset platforms have the appropriate protections in place. Our modular suite of KYC products makes it easy to tailor your workflows to your requirements, including standard CDD, EDD, continuous risk monitoring, and more. With fast and efficient results you can trust, iComplyKYC allows you to focus on the ins and outs of running your business while reducing the cost of running ID verification and KYC protocols by up to 80%. When it comes to digital asset protection, iComply is your trusted source and leading choice for KYC software and electronic identity verification in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Book a demo with our team today to learn more about iComplyKYC’s range of solutions, and how our platform can be customized to fit your organization.

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Vaidyanathan Chandrashekhar

Vaidyanathan Chandrashekhar

Advisors

“Chandy,” is a technology and risk expert with executive experience at Boston Consulting Group, Citi, and PwC. With over two decades in financial services, digital transformation, and enterprise risk, he advises iComply on scalable compliance infrastructure for global markets.
Thomas Linder

Thomas Linder

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Thomas is a global tax and compliance expert with deep specialization in digital assets, blockchain, and tokenization. As a partner at MME Legal | Tax | Compliance, he advises iComply on regulatory strategy, cross-border compliance, and digital finance innovation.
Thomas Hardjono

Thomas Hardjono

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Thomas is a renowned identity and cybersecurity expert, serving as CTO of Connection Science at MIT. With deep expertise in decentralized identity, zero trust, and secure data exchange, he advises iComply on cutting-edge technology and privacy-first compliance architecture.
Rodney Dobson

Rodney Dobson

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Rodney is the former President of ADP Canada and international executive with over two decades of leadership in global HR and enterprise technology. He advises iComply with deep expertise in international service delivery, M&A, and scaling high-growth operations across regulated markets.
Praveen Mandal

Praveen Mandal

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Paul Childerhose

Paul Childerhose

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Paul is a Canadian RegTech leader and founder of Maple Peak Group, with extensive experience in financial services compliance, AML, and digital transformation. He advises iComply on regulatory alignment, operational strategy, and scaling compliance programs in complex markets.
John Engle

John Engle

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John is a seasoned business executive with senior leadership experience at CIBC, UBS, and Accenture. With deep expertise in investment banking, private equity, and digital transformation, he advises iComply on strategic growth, partnerships, and global market expansion.
Jeff Bandman

Jeff Bandman

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Jeff is a former CFTC official and globally recognized expert in financial regulation, fintech, and digital assets. As founder of Bandman Advisors, he brings deep insight into regulatory policy, market infrastructure, and innovation to guide iComply’s global compliance strategy.
Greg Pearlman

Greg Pearlman

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Greg is a seasoned investment banker with over 35 years of experience, including leadership roles at BMO Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup. Greg brings deep expertise in financial strategy and growth to support iComply's expansion in the RegTech sector.
Deven Sharma

Deven Sharma

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Deven is the former President of S&P and a globally respected authority in risk, data, and capital markets. With decades of leadership across financial services and tech, he advises iComply on strategic growth, governance, and the future of trusted data in AML compliance.