End of anonymity on centralized cryptocurrency exchanges

Until five to seven years ago, trading Bitcoin on an exchange was seen as the digital equivalent of a Swiss safe - no names and no questions asked. Today, things are very different: the centralized platforms(CEXs) resemble a bank more than an anarchist bazaar. Why this change?

1. KYC/AML as a global standard

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Identity verification(KYC) and anti-money laundering(AML) procedures have become a key element in the operation of centralized exchanges.

• KYC (Know Your Customer) enforces identity verification, which includes providing documents, photos and an address.
• AML (Anti-Money Laundering) orders exchanges to monitor transactions and report suspicious operations.

These guidelines have been implemented in the regulations of G20 countries, and exchanges that do not adhere to them risk losing their licenses. The guidance coming from organizations such as FATF and FinCEN is clear - full KYC is mandatory.

2. automatic reporting to the fiscal

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More and more exchanges are cooperating with tax authorities, automatically providing data on users. Many investors have found this out for themselves.

• In the United States, exchanges such as Coinbase send users tax forms (e.g. 1099-MISC), which also go to theIRS.
• In the European Union, from 2026, the DAC8 directive will come into force, which will require exchanges to report data on all residents of member states.
• In Canada, platforms such as Kraken already report transactions above CAD$10,000 as required by FINTRAC.

3. blockchain analysis combined with KYC data

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Intelligence companies such as Chainalysis and Elliptic are working with exchanges to link on-chain addresses to exchange accounts. This makes it possible to assign specific addresses to their owners.

Combining KYC data with blockchain analysis allows law enforcement agencies to track the flow of funds from and to a person. These tools are increasingly being used in tax fraud and money laundering cases.

4. Bitcoin ATMs as the last bastion of anonymity

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Facing increasing regulation of centralized exchanges, Bitcoin ATMs (cryptocurrency ATMs) remain one of the last channels to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with anonymity. According to AML regulations, up to a certain amount limit (in Poland it is usually €1,000) transactions do not require identity verification. Below this amount, you can buy or sell cryptocurrencies by depositing or withdrawing cash without having to provide any personal information.

Exceeding a set threshold forces verification with an ID card scanner or phone number. Note, however, that although Bitcoin ATMs offer a much higher level of privacy than CEXs, total anonymity is illusory. The transactions are still recorded on the public blockchain, and law enforcement agencies, in the case of large operations, can investigate based on monitoring or other evidence. Still, in a world where centralized platforms are becoming increasingly intrusive, Bitcoin ATMs remain an important tool for those who value financial privacy.

5. what does this mean for investors?

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The end of anonymity has significant implications for anyone trading cryptocurrencies on centralized exchanges.

• Tax returns are mandatory - tax authorities have access to information about your transactions.
• Tools for "blending" funds (so-called "mixers") are becoming increasingly popular, but come with regulatory risks (example: sanctions on Tornado Cash).
• True anonymity is only possible on decentralized exchanges(DEX) or using so-called privacy-coins(Monero, Zcash), but this too comes with potential legal consequences.

6 Summary

Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges have become an integral part of the global financial system. The introduction of KYC verification, tax reports and advanced blockchain analysis has made anonymity in this environment a thing of the past. If one intends to hide profits, one must abandon CEX altogether, a Bitcoin ATMs are one of the last ways to partially maintain privacy.