Why Crypto Mixers Face Scrutiny from US Treasury Department

The United States Treasury Department has unveiled a proposal targeting international cryptocurrency platforms, colloquially known as “crypto mixers.”

The initiative emerges amidst a growing cloud of concern from Capitol Hill regarding the utilization of crypto for financing militant groups. This is a concern exacerbated after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

US Treasury Targets Crypto Mixers

The new proposal leverages laws traditionally employed against foreign banks and jurisdictions. Subsequently necessitating meticulous record-keeping and reporting for financial transactions intertwining with crypto mixers.

This proactive measure symbolizes a notable regulatory advancement. Indeed, it aims to sculpt the future contours of the global financial system by spotlighting crypto mixers, platforms enabling users to trade cryptocurrencies with a veil of anonymity, as primary money laundering conduits that pose a threat to national security.

“Today’s action underscores Treasury’s commitment to combating the exploitation of convertible virtual currency mixing by a broad range of illicit actors, including state-affiliated cyber actors, cybercriminals, and terrorist groups. More broadly, the Treasury Department is aggressively combating illicit use of all aspects of the CVC (Convertible Virtual Currency) ecosystem by terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, said.

The newly proposed regulation, showcased by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, will undergo a 90-day public commentary period pre-possible adoption. The rule-making proposition allows targeted entities to undertake remedial actions, potentially extricating them from sanctions.

Past instances have witnessed targets ameliorating their practices, and implementing significant reforms to mitigate money-laundering risks. Consequently leading the Treasury to forgo the final rule embodying special measures.

Read more: 14 Best No KYC Crypto Exchanges in 2023

Still, a remarkable aspect of this proposal is the invocation of seldom-used powers, crafted post the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, known as “death-knell sanctions.” Though crypto mixers constitute a minuscule fraction of the cryptocurrency market, they can serve as fertile ground for money laundering and terror financing.