Money laundering and cryptocurrencies: challenges and initiatives

One of the legal challenges of cryptocurrencies- called “revolutionary money circle”- is its use in money laundering which in spite of trade prevalence, is a hurdle against cryptocurrencies acceptance by Legislature. In this study, we’ve tried to answer the questions about "cryptocurrency role in money laundering " and "methods of cryptocurrency money laundering " through a comprehensive analysis. They have been included in the money laundering process based on their inherent features such as “facilitation” and “diversification”. In this way, “coin mixers; illegal currency exchange; cryptocurrency ATMs; pre-payment cards; gambling websites” work as tools for cryptocurrency money laundering. Thus, along with criminal codes, governments and different organizations have played active roles and have established rules that require financial service providers to identify customers. Also, FATF has emphasized, in its updated guidelines, that cryptocurrency service providers must be regulated by money laundering and terrorism financing fighting policies. It's obvious that the implementation of such regulations by legal regimes’ support and development of solutions such as “customer identification” can contribute to solve the problem of anonymity of trading parties. Therefore, in money laundering fighting process, the problem is more about tracking technologies rather than legal gaps. In conclusion, the government should be equipped with the required technology.