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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

NYDFS issues policies and procedures reminder to virtual currency companies

State Issues Digital Assets NYDFS Fraud Cryptocurrency Virtual Currency Fintech

State Issues

On February 7, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) issued a guidance document reminding virtual currency entities (VC entities) licensed by the state or chartered as limited purpose trust companies that they are required to have policies and procedures in place to guard against fraud, and that they should be particularly vigilant concerning efforts at market manipulation. The guidance requires VC entities to implement written policies that will (i) identify and assess fraud-related areas of risk, including market manipulation; (ii) provide procedures and controls to protect against identified risks; (iii) allocate risk monitoring responsibilities; (iv) periodically evaluate and revise risk monitoring processes to “ensure continuing effectiveness” and “compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; and (v) “provide for the effective investigation of fraud and other wrongdoing.” NYDFS also requires VC entities to submit incident reports detailing any identified wrongdoing, follow-up reports outlining any material developments, measures taken or to be taken concerning the developments, and a statement outlining any changes to the VC entity’s operations to prevent repeat occurrences.