Article 16 Detection of missing information on the originator or the beneficiary

Compared to transfers of fundsmeans any transaction at least partially carried out by electronic means on behalf of a payer through a payment service provider, with a view to making funds available to a payee through a payment service provider, irrespective of whether the payer and the payee are the same person and irrespective of whether the payment service provider of the payer and that of the payee are one and the same, including:a credit transfer as defined in Article 4, point (24), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;a direct debit as defined in Article 4, point (23), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;a money remittance as defined in Article 4, point (22), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366, whether national or cross-border;a transfer carried out using a payment card, an electronic money instrument, a mobile phone or any other digital or IT prepaid or postpaid device with similar characteristics;, transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same; can be carried out across multiple jurisdictions at a larger scale and higher speed due to their global reach and technological characteristics. In addition to the pseudo-anonymity of crypto-assetsmeans a crypto-asset as defined in Article 3(1), point (5), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, except where falling within the categories listed in Article 2(2), (3) and (4) of that Regulation or otherwise qualifying as funds;, those features of transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same; offer criminals the opportunity to carry out at high speed large illicit transfers while circumventing traceability obligations and avoiding detection, by means of structuring a large transaction into smaller amounts, using multiple seemingly unrelated DLT addresses, including one-time use DLT addresses, and using automated processes. Most crypto-assetsmeans a crypto-asset as defined in Article 3(1), point (5), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, except where falling within the categories listed in Article 2(2), (3) and (4) of that Regulation or otherwise qualifying as funds; are also highly volatile and their value can fluctuate significantly within a very short timeframe which makes the calculation of linked transactionsmeans two or more transactions with either identical or similar origin, destination and purpose, or other relevant characteristics, over a specific period; more uncertain. In order to reflect those specific features, transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same; should be subject to the same requirements regardless of their amount and of whether they are domestic or cross-border transfers.

For transfers of fundsmeans any transaction at least partially carried out by electronic means on behalf of a payer through a payment service provider, with a view to making funds available to a payee through a payment service provider, irrespective of whether the payer and the payee are the same person and irrespective of whether the payment service provider of the payer and that of the payee are one and the same, including:a credit transfer as defined in Article 4, point (24), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;a direct debit as defined in Article 4, point (23), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;a money remittance as defined in Article 4, point (22), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366, whether national or cross-border;a transfer carried out using a payment card, an electronic money instrument, a mobile phone or any other digital or IT prepaid or postpaid device with similar characteristics; or for transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same; where verification is deemed to have taken place, payment service providersmeans the categories of payment service provider referred to in Article 1(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/2366, natural or legal persons benefiting from a waiver pursuant to Article 32 thereof and legal persons benefiting from a waiver pursuant to Article 9 of Directive 2009/110/EC, providing transfer of funds services; and crypto-asset service providersmeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should not be required to verify the accuracy of the information on the payermeans a person that holds a payment account and allows a transfer of funds from that payment account or, where there is no payment account, that gives a transfer of funds order; or the payeemeans a person that is the intended recipient of the transfer of funds; accompanying each transfer of fundsmeans any transaction at least partially carried out by electronic means on behalf of a payer through a payment service provider, with a view to making funds available to a payee through a payment service provider, irrespective of whether the payer and the payee are the same person and irrespective of whether the payment service provider of the payer and that of the payee are one and the same, including:a credit transfer as defined in Article 4, point (24), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;a direct debit as defined in Article 4, point (23), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;a money remittance as defined in Article 4, point (22), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366, whether national or cross-border;a transfer carried out using a payment card, an electronic money instrument, a mobile phone or any other digital or IT prepaid or postpaid device with similar characteristics;, or on the originatormeans a person that holds a crypto-asset account with a crypto-asset service provider, a distributed ledger address or a device allowing the storage of crypto-assets, and allows a transfer of crypto-assets from that account, distributed ledger address, or device, or, where there is no such account, distributed ledger address, or device, a person that orders or initiates a transfer of crypto-assets; and the beneficiarymeans a person that is the intended recipient of the transfer of crypto-assets; accompanying each transfer of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same;, provided that the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2015/849 are met.

Regarding transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same;, the requirements of this Regulation should apply to all transfers including transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same; to or from a self-hosted addressmeans a distributed ledger address not linked to either of the following:a crypto-asset service provider;an entity not established in the Union and providing services similar to those of a crypto-asset service provider;, as long as there is a crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; involved.

In the case of a transfer to or from a self-hosted addressmeans a distributed ledger address not linked to either of the following:a crypto-asset service provider;an entity not established in the Union and providing services similar to those of a crypto-asset service provider;, the crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should collect the information on both the originatormeans a person that holds a crypto-asset account with a crypto-asset service provider, a distributed ledger address or a device allowing the storage of crypto-assets, and allows a transfer of crypto-assets from that account, distributed ledger address, or device, or, where there is no such account, distributed ledger address, or device, a person that orders or initiates a transfer of crypto-assets; and the beneficiarymeans a person that is the intended recipient of the transfer of crypto-assets;, usually from its client. A crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should in principle not be required to verify the information on the user of the self-hosted addressmeans a distributed ledger address not linked to either of the following:a crypto-asset service provider;an entity not established in the Union and providing services similar to those of a crypto-asset service provider;. Nonetheless, in the case of a transfer of an amount exceeding EUR 1 000 that is sent or received on behalf of a client of a crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; to or from a self-hosted addressmeans a distributed ledger address not linked to either of the following:a crypto-asset service provider;an entity not established in the Union and providing services similar to those of a crypto-asset service provider;, that crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should verify whether that self-hosted addressmeans a distributed ledger address not linked to either of the following:a crypto-asset service provider;an entity not established in the Union and providing services similar to those of a crypto-asset service provider; is effectively owned or controlled by that client.

As regards transfers of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same;, the crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; of the beneficiarymeans a person that is the intended recipient of the transfer of crypto-assets; should implement effective procedures to detect whether the information on the originatormeans a person that holds a crypto-asset account with a crypto-asset service provider, a distributed ledger address or a device allowing the storage of crypto-assets, and allows a transfer of crypto-assets from that account, distributed ledger address, or device, or, where there is no such account, distributed ledger address, or device, a person that orders or initiates a transfer of crypto-assets; or beneficiarymeans a person that is the intended recipient of the transfer of crypto-assets; is missing or incomplete. Those procedures should include, where appropriate, monitoring after or during the transfers. It should not be required that the information is attached directly to the transfer of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same; itself, as long as it is submitted in advance of, or simultaneously or concurrently with, the transfer of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same;, and is available upon request to appropriate authorities.

Crypto-asset service providersmeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation;, like all obliged entities, should assess and monitor the risk related to their clients, products and delivery channels. Crypto-asset service providersmeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should also assess the risk related to their transactions, including where performing transfers to or from self-hosted addresses. In the event that the crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; is or becomes aware that the information on the originatormeans a person that holds a crypto-asset account with a crypto-asset service provider, a distributed ledger address or a device allowing the storage of crypto-assets, and allows a transfer of crypto-assets from that account, distributed ledger address, or device, or, where there is no such account, distributed ledger address, or device, a person that orders or initiates a transfer of crypto-assets; or beneficiarymeans a person that is the intended recipient of the transfer of crypto-assets; using the self-hosted addressmeans a distributed ledger address not linked to either of the following:a crypto-asset service provider;an entity not established in the Union and providing services similar to those of a crypto-asset service provider; is inaccurate, or where the crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; encounters unusual or suspicious patterns of transactions or situations of higher risks of money launderingmeans the money laundering activities referred to in Article 1(3) and (4) of Directive (EU) 2015/849; and terrorist financingmeans terrorist financing as defined in Article 1(5) of Directive (EU) 2015/849; associated with transfers involving self-hosted addresses, that crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should implement, where appropriate, enhanced due diligence measures to manage and mitigate the risks appropriately. The crypto-asset service providermeans a crypto-asset service provider as defined in Article 3(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, where performing one or more crypto-asset services as defined in Article 3(1), point (16), of that Regulation; should take those circumstances into account when assessing whether a transfer of crypto-assetsmeans any transaction with the aim of moving crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address, crypto-asset account or other device allowing the storage of crypto-assets to another, carried out by at least one crypto-asset service provider acting on behalf of either an originator or a beneficiary, irrespective of whether the originator and the beneficiary are the same person and irrespective of whether the crypto-asset service provider of the originator and that of the beneficiary are one and the same;, or any related transaction, is unusual and whether it is to be reported to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/849.