Bybit becomes latest exchange to tighten customer identification
Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has revealed it will be introducing enhanced know your customer (KYC) verification procedures.
The enhanced verification, which will become active from July 12, will involve advanced facial recognition and identification documents.
By volume, Bybit is the world’s fifth-largest cryptocurrency derivatives exchange and these stricter measures are being brought in to increase securities compliance.
New KYC verification will operate on two-levels under the new requirements.
The first level of KYC verification grants exchange-users withdrawals of up to 50 Bitcoin (BTC) and will require proof of ID alongside algorithmic facial recognition. The second level of KYC verification grants larger withdrawals capped at 100 BTC, with these extended account caps requiring further proof of address.
These procedures come alongside further announcements from Bybit including a By-Fi DeFi centre offering cloud-based virtual ETH mining services.
Bybit has increased in prominence as an exchange recently, reporting more than a trillion dollars in trading volume during Q1 of this year.
The exchange has also been working hard to establish football connections, announcing a partnership with Borussia Dortmund last year and sponsorships with UEFA 2020.
Regulators crackdown on Bybit
Moves to enhance KYC verification are a direct response to a turbulent couple of months for Bybit following a series of regulatory clampdowns.
Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) imposed restrictions on cryptocurrency derivatives trading in the UK in March, which forced the Bybit exchange to exit the British market.
In May, Japan’s Financial Services Agency published a public letter to Bybit stating that the exchange had no licence to operate in the country.
The most recent allegation against the exchange was from the Ontario Securities Commission in June, which accused Bybit of operating an unregistered cryptocurrency trading platform in violation of securities laws.
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Sam Cooling
London-based crypto journalist Sam Cooling studied at the London School of Economics (LSE) before working as a Data Technology Consultant for the Fairtrade Foundation.
Coin Rivet combines his passion for technology writing with his zeal for the Decentralised Finance revolution. Sam loves providing daily regulatory and alt coin coverage.
Outside of the crypto world Sam loves boxing, and spends his time working with NGOs in Zambia.