Looks like a ploy to present themselves as exclusive. But really, if it all it takes is to enter your email on the website to get entered into the whitelist, I do not see how this will really stop people from signing up to the ICO. Only proper AML procedures can result in a vetting process. Then again,,, who will be in charge of auditing that vetting process? Looks like ICOs really have to reinvent themselves in the face of all the Chinese and South Korean bans!
Whitelist members had to put a CND tag on our twitter and linkedin profiles, those who didn't got left out. So it's more than putting in your email, this ICO was conducted impressively.