Popular cryptocurrency exchange Kraken revealed it received 49% more law enforcement inquiries from regulators throughout the world in 2019 as compared to 2018.
The cryptocurrency trading platform shared an infographic from its “2019 Transparency Report” on social media, revealed last year it received a total of 710 requests, while back in 2018 the number of requests received was of 475.
It's that time again. Here's a snapshot of our Compliance team's 2019 Transparency Report. Team America still ahead with 61% of total requests, down from 66% last year. Other geos gaining fast. Trend is obvious. Costs are increasing, even in a relatively flat market. pic.twitter.com/4AMe11unoL
— Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) January 7, 2020
Around 61% of the requests Kraken received in 2019 came form law enforcement agencies in the United States, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sending 116 requests, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sending 73, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) sending 28, among others. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sent Kraken 20 requests.
Most of these requests were only targeting one account, although 28 requests were eyeing over 11 accounts on the cryptocurrency trading platform. While U.S. agencies made up the majority of requests, Kraken noted other countries are catching up, which is driving compliance costs up.
Last year, Kraken noted various businesses choose to block U.S. users over compliance costs, as the government’s subpoenas become an entry barrier. Kraken is well-known for criticizing U.S. regulators’ approach to the cryptocurrency space, specifically when it came to New York’s BitLicense.
Last year its CEO Jesse Powell fired back against New York’s Attorney General after refusing to cooperate with a formal inquiry that requested a large volume of data from 13 of the world’s largest exchanges.
Featured image via Pixabay.
