Ahead of next month’s G20 summit, host Japan looks to tighten money laundering regulations, specifically targeting Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchanges.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is also due to inspect Japan’s anti-money laundering regime in the Autumn.
International Spotlight Prompts Japanese Action
According to media outlet Nikkei, the Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) is desperate for a good review from the FATF. Japan received the lowest possible rating for Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures during the last FATF inspection in 2008. Although, of course, Bitcoin was little more than an idea at this point.
In the hope of redemption, Japan is stepping up its on-site inspections of all financial institutions, though Nikkei suggests a focus on cryptocurrency exchanges.
The Japan-hosted G20 summit is also likely to discuss international regulations for digital currency, and potentially ICOs. The hosts certainly don’t want to appear behind the curve on implementing policies.
Japan’s Usual Hands-Off Approach To Bitcoin Regulation
Japan was the first country to introduce registration for crypto-exchanges in April 2017, but has traditionally been fairly hands-off. While strengthening guidelines following the 2018 Coincheck hack, the FSA has stated that it does not intend to ‘excessively regulate‘.
Instead, it seems happy to let the industry regulate itself, stating:
It’s a very fast-moving industry. It’s better for experts to make rules in a timely manner than bureaucrats do.
The FSA is not afraid to step in where necessary though, introducing bills to regulate ICOs earlier this year.
G20 And FATF Looking In The Wrong Direction?
At last year’s G20 summit in Buenos Aires, nations decided that cryptocurrency regulation should follow FATF standards for anti-money laundering. Following this FATF called for even stricter regulation of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP).
But is this focus on cryptocurrency really the most beneficial way to combat money laundering?
The Japanese Yen recently overtook the dollar as the most used fiat currency for bitcoin trading. However, cryptocurrency is still not the tool of choice in the vast majority of money laundering cases.
According to Japanese police, despite crypto-linked cases going up 900% in 2018, this still comprised only 1.7% of total investigations.
A massive 98.3% of money laundering cases in Japan had nothing to do with cryptocurrency at all.
Will Japan’s new anti-money laudnering initiative be effective? Share your thoughts below!
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