AML and KYC Policy

Our position

We are a publication, not a financial institution. We do not accept deposits, execute transactions, hold client assets or operate payment accounts, so the customer due diligence obligations that apply to regulated firms do not apply to us. We describe our approach here for transparency.

Why AML standards matter to readers

Anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer rules exist to make financial systems traceable. For a reader, they are also a practical filter: a firm that never asks who you are, never requests identity documents and never explains its onboarding process is behaving unlike any supervised institution.

What normal onboarding looks like

• A request for government-issued photo identification.
• Proof of address, typically a recent utility bill or bank statement.
• Questions about the source of funds for larger amounts.
• Screening against sanctions and politically exposed person lists.
• Written confirmation of the account terms before money moves.

These steps take time. That is not friction to be avoided, it is the process working.

Warning signs

Pressure to transfer quickly, requests to send funds to a personal account or to an entity with a different name from the one you contracted with, refusal to provide written terms, and any offer to skip identity checks. Each of these is worth stopping over, and together they are decisive.

How we handle reader data

The only personal data we collect is what you type into the research request form. We do not perform identity verification on readers, we do not request identity documents, and we ask that you never send scanned identification to us. Details are in our Privacy Policy.

Reporting a concern

If you believe a company profiled here is involved in financial crime, report it to the competent authority in your country and to the supervisor in the company's jurisdiction. You may also write to [email protected] so we can review the published profile, though we have no investigative or enforcement powers.