Question about Cryptocurrency Exchanges

[jwash]

Hi I am fairly new to the cryptocurrency world and I have a couple of questions.

I have read that bitcoin exchanges like OKcoin, Coinbase, have to follow guideline by the FTC and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network because they are involved in exchanging bitcoins for legal currency such as US Dollar.

My question is do exchanges like poloniex, or bittrex have to follow these same guidelines since they only exchange bitcoins for other cryptocurrencies and not cash? Or is more of a unregulated market?

Just trying to find out how secure these exchanges are and what compliance they must follow. If any. Thanks.