What is the 'Travel Rule' and How Does It Affect Me?

Modified on Wed, 30 Jul at 1:26 PM

You may have recently been asked to provide information about the sender of a crypto deposit you received in your Hata account. This request is part of a standard global security measure known as the "Travel Rule," and this guide explains what it is and why it's necessary.

What is the Travel Rule?

Think of the Travel Rule like the information required for a traditional bank wire transfer. When money is sent, information about the sender must "travel" with the transaction to the recipient's bank.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global standard-setter for combating financial crime, has extended this same principle to crypto transactions. As an entity regulated by the Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) and Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), we are legally required to follow this rule. It mandates that for crypto transactions, we must collect, verify, and share certain information about the sender (originator) and the receiver (beneficiary) in every cryptocurrency transaction.

Why is This Rule Necessary?

The main goals of the Travel Rule are to:

  • Increase Transparency: Knowing who is on both sides of a transaction makes the crypto ecosystem more transparent and secure.

  • Prevent Illicit Activity: It helps prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial crimes by making it much harder for bad actors to move funds anonymously.

  • Protect Our Customers: By complying with these regulations, we ensure that we are operating a safe and legal platform, which protects you and the integrity of your assets.

How Does This Affect My Transactions?

The Travel Rule applies when you send or receive crypto from another platform.

  • When you receive a deposit: If the sender's crypto platform does not automatically send us the required information, we are obligated to ask you for it. This is why you may receive an email with a form to fill out the sender’s information after a deposit is credited to your account.

  • When you send a withdrawal: Similarly, when you send crypto to another platform, you will be asked to provide information about the recipient.

Is Providing This Information Optional?

No, it is not optional. Complying with the Travel Rule is a mandatory requirement from our regulators for all customers.

To ensure your account remains in good standing and to avoid any future issues, it is important that you complete these information requests promptly. Failure to provide the required details could lead to delays on future deposits or potential account restrictions.

We understand this adds an extra step, but it is a crucial one for ensuring the safety and security of the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a compliant and secure platform for everyone.

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