As AI agents move into autonomous payments and transactions, identity verification is becoming a core gap. KYA is emerging as a new battleground, with Visa, ERC-8004, Trulioo and Sumsub advancing different frameworks while regulators begin to act.
The EU's MiCA grace period ends on July 1, 2026. Only about 200 firms have full authorization, versus more than 1,200 VASPs previously registered across the bloc, leaving roughly 83% of existing crypto firms at risk of exiting or blocking EU users.
Several Taiwan banks' applications for virtual asset custody pilots were rejected by the FSC over high warning account numbers. Only four banks are approved. Far Eastern Bank, handling 97% of crypto fiat flows, hasn't applied. Warning accounts fell for the first time, but AI over-sensitivity caused public complaints.
Nigeria's new tax reforms mandate crypto service providers link transactions to Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) and National Identification Numbers (NIN), replacing blockchain surveillance for compliance.
The EU's latest sanctions target the entire Russian crypto industry, including the digital ruble and RUBx stablecoin, and designate a Kyrgyz exchange. Chainalysis says the permissive environment for Russia-linked crypto is ending.
Taiwan’s financial regulator said its virtual asset bill has cleared Cabinet review and is set to reach the legislature this session. Formal bank custody guidelines are due within six months, while offshore exchanges will need a local branch or a newly established local entity to operate legally.
Brazil’s central bank is developing a regulatory framework for institutional crypto firms, with key authorization rules expected by 2027. Existing providers would get 270 days to disclose operations and apply for registration.
A breakdown of VASP license requirements for crypto exchanges, covering application steps, regulatory differences across jurisdictions, and ongoing compliance like Travel Rule and fund segregation.
