Sumsub and CODE Join Forces to Streamline Crypto Travel Rule Implementation

Sumsub, a global full-cycle verification platform, has announced that it will be integrating with CODE, a Travel Rule compliance solution. Both companies will collaborate to facilitate secure and immediate data sharing among Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), aligning with Travel Rule compliance requirements for virtual asset transactions. In addition to the integration, CODE will refer Sumsub’s Know-Your-Customer (KYC) solution to its clients for enhanced user onboarding and verification processes.

The partnership between Sumsub and CODE will make it easier for VASPs in different regions to work together. This integration aims to build interoperability in the crypto sector, enabling VASPs to access a broader network of counterparties they can transact with. It will also mitigate the ‘sunrise issue’, which refers to the challenge of uneven Travel Rule enforcement across different jurisdictions—creating hurdles for digital asset providers to connect, comply, and maintain transparency.

Travel Rule regulations currently extend the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Recommendation 16 (R.16) to virtual assets and their providers. The legislation, enforced independently by different jurisdictional regulators, mandates that both senders and recipients of all virtual asset transfers exchange accurate identifying information, and convey the data to government authorities when required.

At present, regulators enforce the Travel Rule legislation at different rates. In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Singapore integrated the Travel Rule into its Payments Service (PS) Act which came into effect in January 2020, while South Korea implemented similar legislation in March 2022. Both Japan and Hong Kong began to enforce the Travel Rule for crypto transactions in June 2023.

At present, CODE’s South Korea operations focus primarily on collaboration between domestic companies and those in neighbouring markets. With a global ecosystem of VASPs, Sumsub will facilitate compliant Travel Rule data transfers for CODE’s clients, thereby bridging the gap between VASPs in APAC and counterparties not just in neighboring markets, but worldwide.

We are excited about our partnership with CODE, as it marks another significant step forward in fostering a secure environment across the crypto sector. Through this partnership, we aim to lead the way in interoperability, setting a standard for data sharing that may become a mandatory industry practice in the future,” said Jacob Sever, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Sumsub. “Interoperability is a core belief for us, reflected in our solution’s ability to integrate with various protocols and expand our clients’ network access. While progress has been made, there’s still much to achieve, and we look forward to supporting further initiatives in the industry.”

“We are delighted to partner with Sumsub in assuring Travel Rule compliance for the digital asset industry. This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering seamless data sharing and enhancing regulatory compliance standards. Together, we aim to empower VASPs globally, driving innovation and trust in digital asset transactions,” said Sungmi Lee, CEO at CODE.

In addition to CODE, Sumsub is actively collaborating with partners to promote open standards that enable information sharing for virtual asset transfers. In March 2024, Sumsub partnered with Binance, integrating with its Global Travel Rule (GTR) Alliance to streamline Travel Rule compliance for VASPs, and with Mercuryo, a global payments infrastructure platform, to release an in-depth guide for VASPs to navigate Travel Rule compliance.

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