歐盟打擊加密貨幣匿名以遏止金融犯罪

歐盟更新了反洗錢法規，以打擊加密產業內的非法活動。新規定禁止超過 3,000 歐元的匿名加密貨幣交易，要求加密資產服務提供者 (CASP) 向監管機構註冊，並禁止 CASP 支援匿名帳戶。歐盟加強監督和監管的措施旨在防止加密貨幣用於犯罪目的。

The European Union Tightens the Reins on Cryptocurrency Transactions in a Bid to Combat Financial Crime

歐盟收緊對加密貨幣交易的控制以打擊金融犯罪

Brussels, March 24, 2024 - The European Union (EU) has taken a significant step in its efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing by updating its Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR). The new rules, which will come into effect within three years, will apply to all financial institutions, including crypto-asset service providers (CASPs).

布魯塞爾，2024 年 3 月 24 日 - 歐盟 (EU) 透過更新反洗錢法規 (AMLR)，在打擊洗錢和恐怖主義融資方面邁出了重要一步。新規定將於三年內生效，適用於所有金融機構，包括加密資產服務提供者（CASP）。

Banning Anonymous Transactions

禁止匿名交易

One of the most notable changes introduced by the updated AMLR is the ban on anonymous crypto transactions over 3,000 euros in commercial transactions. This measure targets transactions made by crypto exchanges and wallet providers, which are now required to register with regulatory authorities across the EU. Cash transactions over 10,000 euros in business transactions will also be prohibited.

更新後的 AMLR 引入的最顯著的變化之一是禁止商業交易中超過 3,000 歐元的匿名加密貨幣交易。這項措施針對的是加密貨幣交易所和錢包提供者進行的交易，這些交易和錢包提供者現在需要向歐盟各地的監管機構註冊。商業交易中超過10,000歐元的現金交易也將被禁止。

Preventing the Use of Crypto for Criminal Activity

防止使用加密貨幣進行犯罪活動

The new EU law also prohibits CASPs from supporting or providing services to anonymous accounts. This provision is intended to prevent the use of cryptocurrencies for criminal activity, as anonymity makes it difficult to track and detect suspicious transactions.

新的歐盟法律也禁止 CASP 支援匿名帳戶或向匿名帳戶提供服務。該規定旨在防止使用加密貨幣進行犯罪活動，因為匿名使得追蹤和偵測可疑交易變得困難。

Harmonizing Regulations Across the EU

協調整個歐盟的法規

The updated AMLR represents a significant step towards harmonizing regulations for cryptocurrencies across the EU. This harmonization is expected to foster growth and stability in the EU's cryptocurrency industry by providing a clear and consistent regulatory framework.

更新後的 AMLR 代表著在協調整個歐盟加密貨幣監管方面邁出的重要一步。這種協調預計將透過提供清晰一致的監管框架來促進歐盟加密貨幣產業的成長和穩定。

Concerns Raised by Privacy Advocates

隱私權倡議者提出的擔憂

While the new rules have been welcomed by those concerned about the potential for cryptocurrencies to be used for illicit activities, they have also raised concerns among privacy-focused users. The ban on anonymous crypto transactions could limit the ability of individuals to conduct private financial transactions, and the requirement for CASPs to collect personal data from both senders and recipients of crypto transfers raises concerns about data privacy.

儘管新規則受到那些擔心加密貨幣可能被用於非法活動的人的歡迎，但它們也引起了注重隱私的用戶的擔憂。匿名加密貨幣交易的禁令可能會限制個人進行私人金融交易的能力，而 CASP 收集加密貨幣轉帳發送者和接收者個人資料的要求引發了對資料隱私的擔憂。

EU vs. Self-Custody Wallets

歐盟與自我託管錢包

The European Commission's proposal to tighten controls on anonymous cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets had initially sparked concerns that the EU was planning to ban self-custody wallets. However, subsequent clarifications have indicated that this is not the case.

歐盟委員會加強對匿名加密貨幣交易所和錢包的控制的提議最初引發了人們對歐盟計劃禁止自助錢包的擔憂。但隨後的澄清表明，事實並非如此。

Patrick Hansen, Director of EU Strategy & Policy at Circle, has stated that the new rules explicitly exempt providers of hardware and software wallets, along with self-custody wallet providers, from their obligations. This means that individuals who manage their own cryptocurrency using self-custody solutions will not be affected by the new AMLR.

Circle 歐盟戰略與政策總監 Patrick Hansen 表示，新規則明確免除了硬體和軟體錢包提供商以及自助錢包提供商的義務。這意味著使用自我託管解決方案管理自己的加密貨幣的個人將不會受到新的 AMLR 的影響。

CASPs to Face Enhanced KYC/AML Measures

CASP 將面臨強化的 KYC/AML 措施

The AMLR primarily targets CASPs that are already regulated under Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA). These CASPs must follow standard Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures, including Customer Due Diligence (CDD), which involves verifying customer identities and understanding their financial activities to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

AMLR 主要針對已受加密資產市場 (MiCA) 監管的 CASP。這些 CASP 必須遵循標準的了解您的客戶 (KYC) 和反洗錢 (AML) 程序，包括客戶盡職調查 (CDD)，其中涉及驗證客戶身份並了解他們的財務活動，以減輕洗錢和恐怖主義融資風險。

Potential for Additional KYC/AML Measures

額外 KYC/AML 措施的潛力

Hansen has suggested that the EU may adopt an additional layer of KYC/AML measures, which could require CASPs to perform more in-depth verification. Such measures could potentially impact users who conduct transactions through CASPs, even for one-time purchases outside of a regular business relationship.

漢森建議歐盟可能採取額外一層的 KYC/AML 措施，這可能會要求 CASP 進行更深入的驗證。此類措施可能會影響透過 CASP 進行交易的用戶，即使是在常規業務關係之外進行的一次性購買。

Conclusion

結論

The European Union's updated AMLR represents a significant step in its efforts to regulate the cryptocurrency industry and combat financial crime. While the new rules have raised concerns among some privacy advocates, they are expected to provide a clearer and more harmonized regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies across the EU. The exemption of self-custody wallets from the new regulations provides some reassurance to users who value their privacy, but it remains to be seen how the EU will balance the need to prevent illicit activities with the protection of individual liberties.

歐盟更新後的《反洗錢法》標誌著其在監管加密貨幣產業和打擊金融犯罪方面邁出了重要一步。儘管新規則引起了一些隱私倡導者的擔憂，但預計它們將為整個歐盟的加密貨幣提供更清晰、更協調的監管框架。新法規對自我託管錢包的豁免為重視隱私的用戶提供了一些保證，但歐盟將如何平衡防止非法活動與保護個人自由的需求還有待觀察。