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Cryptocurrencies: an unconventional challenge to the AML/CFT regulators?

Author

Listed:
  • Victor Dostov
  • Pavel Shust

Abstract

Purpose - – The purpose of the article is to look closely at the phenomenon of the cryptocurrencies such as and bitcoin to identify their potential vulnerabilities to money laundering and financing of terrorism. It also explores their specific characteristics relevant to ML/FT risks. Design/methodology/approach - – Using digicash and bitcoin protocols as primary cases for centralized and decentralized cryptocurrencies we analyse their characteristics against cash and cashless payments. We also draw on “bundle of attributes” that may define their attractiveness for common public or criminals. Findings - – Our research shows that characteristics of the cryptocurrencies are unlikely to make them popular among the consumers, as demand for anonymity seems to be overrated. Cryptocurrencies can also be classified as payment instrument rather than private currencies; therefore their embededdness in the financial system minimizes the ML/FT risks. Research limitations/implications - – Some decentralized cryptocurrencies operate within informal communities. Therefore, relations within these communities are constantly evolving and need to be monitored further. Practical implications - – The paper provides an insight into the mechanics and classification of cryptocurrencies as payment instruments. Place of cryptocurrencies within the broader payment ecosystem defines their potential vulnerabilities to being abused by the criminals. Originality/value - – The paper fills the gap in research on cryptocurrencies as payment instruments rather than private currencies and also provides an overview of their relevance for the Anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Dostov & Pavel Shust, 2014. "Cryptocurrencies: an unconventional challenge to the AML/CFT regulators?," Journal of Financial Crime, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 21(3), pages 249-263, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jfcpps:jfc-06-2013-0043
    DOI: 10.1108/JFC-06-2013-0043
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nasir Sultan & Norazida Mohamed & Mervyn Martin & Hafizah Mohd Latif, 2023. "Virtual currencies and money laundering: existing and prospects for jurisdictions that comprehensively prohibited virtual currencies like Pakistan," Journal of Money Laundering Control, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(2), pages 395-412, May.
    2. Cameron Cornell & Lewis Mitchell & Matthew Roughan, 2023. "Vector Autoregression in Cryptocurrency Markets: Unraveling Complex Causal Networks," Papers 2308.15769, arXiv.org.
    3. Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann & Marie-Christin Falker, 2020. "Cryptocurrencies and financial crime: solutions from Liechtenstein," Journal of Money Laundering Control, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(4), pages 775-788, June.
    4. Shaen Corbet & Les Oxley, 2023. "Investigating the Academic Response to Cryptocurrencies: Insights from Research Diversification as Separated by Journal Ranking," Review of Corporate Finance, now publishers, vol. 3(4), pages 487-528, September.
    5. Pattnaik, Debidutta & Hassan, M. Kabir & Dsouza, Arun & Tiwari, Aviral & Devji, Shridev, 2023. "Ex-post facto analysis of cryptocurrency literature over a decade using bibliometric technique," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).

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