KYC abolition is not a niche, but mainstream: millions of users are already here

[summonerrk]

Friends, we have all encountered KYC in the field of crypto. This concept is not new to us, but rather is now perceived either as a "necessary inconvenience" or with indifference. Most crypto users are ready to send documents to an exchange or an online casino, expecting it to happen quickly, thinking only about the money that needs to be withdrawn from the service as soon as possible. Our thoughts are usually like this: "I've sent my documents so many times already, it won't matter if I send them here again." However, we don’t always check whether the service or online casino has a license, and we don’t read reviews. We’re just thinking about withdrawing money...

And when, some time later, we read the news that another service — an online casino or an exchange — has been hacked, or it turned out to be a scam, we quickly glance at the name and try to remember: did we send our documents there?

This is the price of playing by the rules. And periodically, we submit our documents to yet another service, leaving more traces on the Internet. And not just any traces — but copies of our documents, which are, in fact, the most important thing we have. Sometimes a crypto users are is even forced to share their biometrics, and everyone understands how dangerous this is in the age of AI.

Of course, my words do not apply to all crypto users. Sometimes we see examples of those who fiercely refuse to share their documents with services. These guys look convincing, and many have wondered why they do this.

The fact is that these guys understand perfectly:
The tool that was supposed to protect against fraudsters has now simply become an obligation to provide documents. And fraudsters themselves easily bypass it with the help of AI.

But KYC is not always necessary. You can exchange crypto quickly, anonymously, and securely. And for that, you don’t have to look for services outside our forum. The risk of choosing a visually appealing service can lead to deception — where the reviews were fake and your crypto is never sent back.

Thank you for reading. This article was a moment of reflection for me on the topic of anonymity, and I hope it was the same for you.

Keep your document information safe online.

[Catenaccio]

Friends, we have all encountered KYC in the field of crypto. This concept is not new to us, but rather is now perceived either as a "necessary inconvenience" or with indifference. Most crypto users are ready to send documents to an exchange or an online casino, expecting it to happen quickly, thinking only about the money that needs to be withdrawn from the service as soon as possible. Our thoughts are usually like this: "I've sent my documents so many times already, it won't matter if I send them here again." However, we don’t always check whether the service or online casino has a license, and we don’t read reviews. We’re just thinking about withdrawing money...

And when, some time later, we read the news that another service — an online casino or an exchange — has been hacked, or it turned out to be a scam, we quickly glance at the name and try to remember: did we send our documents there?

It can be hacks, data breaches or data sales from an internal staff of that exchange or of a third party company that is responsible for customer KYC verification. Personal documents and data are always sensitive and when they were lost somehow, it's always risky.

Documents can be stored carelessly and can be lost/ stolen while funds in our accounts can be not approved for withdrawals.

Why KYC is extremely dangerous – and useless
Reminder: do not keep your money in online accounts.
Be careful using Binance & Centralized Exchange.
OKX frozen my account and required me to KYC with a less than $1,000 deposit.

[m2017]

Friends, we have all encountered KYC in the field of crypto. This concept is not new to us, but rather is now perceived either as a "necessary inconvenience" or with indifference.

Users don't value (and disregard) their right to privacy.

I would call this an imposed inconvenience and an infringement on that very right to privacy. My country's constitution (and I assume other constitutions have a similar right) stipulates a person's right to privacy, the essence of which is the ability to control and prevent the disclosure of information about oneself (KYC directly contradicts this). In other words, people voluntarily disclose confidential information about themselves.

Most crypto users are ready to send documents to an exchange or an online casino, expecting it to happen quickly, thinking only about the money that needs to be withdrawn from the service as soon as possible. Our thoughts are usually like this: "I've sent my documents so many times already, it won't matter if I send them here again."

Maybe then shouldn't do this "first time" of sending information about my documents?

Of course, my words do not apply to all crypto users. Sometimes we see examples of those who fiercely refuse to share their documents with services. These guys look convincing, and many have wondered why they do this.

Should follow their example and stop using services that require KYCs and switch to alternatives. If there's a massive outflow of users from platforms that require KYCs, they may be forced to adapt to the "market situation" and make changes (stop requiring KYCs).

[NotATether]

The average person probably sends their documents to about 20 different services. Maybe more.

I wonder how many copies of their ID are floating around.

So it's not like mandating KYC everywhere is going to actually solve anything. The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

[BlackHatCoiner]

The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

It's a pretty justified reasoning. Since they can't control bitcoin, but control fiat which we all use every day to survive, they only need to surveil every on and off ramp, and that suffices for having a good understanding of who owns what. And the only way to accomplish this is to enforce draconian measures on every crypto exchange there is. Whichever exchange does not comply will receive so many fines they go bankrupt. 

[Nheer]

The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

It's a pretty justified reasoning. Since they can't control bitcoin, but control fiat which we all use every day to survive, they only need to surveil every on and off ramp, and that suffices for having a good understanding of who owns what. And the only way to accomplish this is to enforce draconian measures on every crypto exchange there is. Whichever exchange does not comply will receive so many fines they go bankrupt.  

Honestly that’s just the reality. Since Bitcoin itself can’t be controlled the next best move is to pressure the places users rely on mainly exchanges and then monitor activities from there. Exchanges that don’t follow the rules end up facing heavy penalties so in most cases they’re forced to comply whether they like it or not. Exchanges are never to be trusted but most users don't seem to know the value of privacy and dangers of KYC.

[PrivacyG]

Good article.  One thing I would like to point out however,

However, we don’t always check whether the service or online casino has a license, and we don’t read reviews. We’re just thinking about withdrawing money...

It happened way more often than I thought that even some of the best Casinos or Exchanges requested Know Your Customer all of a sudden with no explanation other than Anti Money Laundering B S.  Licenses or reviews are nothing more than an initial check to see whether to skip the website entirely or give it a chance.

I do not even know if we are more fortunate now that platforms usually do not ask for Know Your Customer procedures randomly any more.  Other wise, we still have the Terms and Conditions where it is usually explained.  Once again, a method to find out whether it is worth giving it a chance.  Other than that, ALL Centralized websites should be considered time ticking bombs where you should NOT store your Bitcoin.  Whether any of them gets seized, banned, asks you for Know Your Customer out of no where, turns in to a Scam or what ever else, you better not have your Bitcoin there.

[Bastketsrus]

Friends, we have all encountered KYC in the field of crypto. This concept is not new to us, but rather is now perceived either as a "necessary inconvenience" or with indifference. Most crypto users are ready to send documents to an exchange or an online casino, expecting it to happen quickly, thinking only about the money that needs to be withdrawn from the service as soon as possible. Our thoughts are usually like this: "I've sent my documents so many times already, it won't matter if I send them here again." However, we don’t always check whether the service or online casino has a license, and we don’t read reviews. We’re just thinking about withdrawing money...

And when, some time later, we read the news that another service — an online casino or an exchange — has been hacked, or it turned out to be a scam, we quickly glance at the name and try to remember: did we send our documents there?

This is the price of playing by the rules. And periodically, we submit our documents to yet another service, leaving more traces on the Internet. And not just any traces — but copies of our documents, which are, in fact, the most important thing we have. Sometimes a crypto users are is even forced to share their biometrics, and everyone understands how dangerous this is in the age of AI.

Of course, my words do not apply to all crypto users. Sometimes we see examples of those who fiercely refuse to share their documents with services. These guys look convincing, and many have wondered why they do this.

The fact is that these guys understand perfectly:
The tool that was supposed to protect against fraudsters has now simply become an obligation to provide documents. And fraudsters themselves easily bypass it with the help of AI.

But KYC is not always necessary. You can exchange crypto quickly, anonymously, and securely. And for that, you don’t have to look for services outside our forum. The risk of choosing a visually appealing service can lead to deception — where the reviews were fake and your crypto is never sent back.

Thank you for reading. This article was a moment of reflection for me on the topic of anonymity, and I hope it was the same for you.

Keep your document information safe online.

Yeah that’s a real concern. People rush through KYC just to withdraw and forget the risks of sharing documents. That’s why many prefer services like bitcoinbetting where privacy matters more.

[goldkingcoiner]

The average person probably sends their documents to about 20 different services. Maybe more.

I wonder how many copies of their ID are floating around.

So it's not like mandating KYC everywhere is going to actually solve anything. The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

And it only takes one hack, exit scam or something similar for all those documents to go into the hands of hard criminals who then use them to completely and irreversibly destroy your life.

It is really a scary thing but people still trade in security for comfort. As if though any of these platforms can or should be trusted in the first place.

I really do not understand their thinking.

[Donneski]

KYC becoming mainstream like you said doesn’t necessarily mean it’s effective, I think a lot of users just got used to it.

Regardless of how a user submits documents across multiple platforms, repeating it everywhere doesn’t improve his safety, it just increases risk.

So instead of reducing risk or adding security to users, KYC is increasing exposure of people's private data.

[Potato Chips]

The fact is that these guys understand perfectly:
The tool that was supposed to protect against fraudsters has now simply become an obligation to provide documents. And fraudsters themselves easily bypass it with the help of AI.

AI is rapidly developing as well. While fake documents and/or personal information has always existed pre-AI era, AI makes it far more accessible. Over time, will likely get close to resembling the real thing.

There is already a tool that could mimic what you do in a video, however with a different face, and it does look real in the human eye lol. Imagine the future in 5 years, in 10 years, etc. Then again KYC is more about compliance for the watch dogs, and not about solving anything.

[Ambatman]

Snip

KYC Is already a norm in today's world
There are institutions that already own and have access to our data
But Bitcoin was supposed to be our breathing space
Now it's been encroached by our own hands.

There is already a tool that could mimic what you do in a video, however with a different face, and it does look real in the human eye lol. Imagine the future in 5 years, in 10 years, etc. Then again KYC is more about compliance for the watch dogs, and not about solving anything.

And for it to perform such function it would need your data
You would have to give your data to the AI before it can even make any changes
And at the end you have shared your data to another entity
Likely less regulated than the former.

[Stalker22]

The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

It's a pretty justified reasoning. Since they can't control bitcoin, but control fiat which we all use every day to survive, they only need to surveil every on and off ramp, and that suffices for having a good understanding of who owns what. And the only way to accomplish this is to enforce draconian measures on every crypto exchange there is. Whichever exchange does not comply will receive so many fines they go bankrupt.  

Honestly that’s just the reality. Since Bitcoin itself can’t be controlled the next best move is to pressure the places users rely on mainly exchanges and then monitor activities from there. Exchanges that don’t follow the rules end up facing heavy penalties so in most cases they’re forced to comply whether they like it or not. Exchanges are never to be trusted but most users don't seem to know the value of privacy and dangers of KYC.

But the fact is that KYC is not limited to the crypto space; it is the infrastructure of the entire modern world.  We all probably use a bank, a smartphone, and a credit card every single day.  That is, unfortunately, the world we live in right now.

I dont know how many more breaches and thefts of personal data have to happen before our governments realize that KYC is just a centralized database of targets for hackers.  Something has to be done because the "regulators" are the ones creating the risk.  They force you to stack all your sensitive data in one place, then act surprised when some kid in a basement steals the whole pile.

[PX-Z]

KYC Is already a norm in today's world
There are institutions that already own and have access to our data
But Bitcoin was supposed to be our breathing space
Now it's been encroached by our own hands.

Normal for people who keep submitting their kyc details to every site that asks for it.

In reality, it's just a standard requirement for most financial platforms that handle deposits and withdrawals. The problem is, many of these businesses don't really prioritize securing the data they collect, that's why they use thirdparty platform to fo it aside from them. They usually just provide vague, generic privacy policies, which shows they don't take data protection seriously.

[salad daging]

The average person probably sends their documents to about 20 different services. Maybe more.

I don't know how many documents sent to different services, exchanges and casinos we have done.

I wonder how many copies of their ID are floating around.

Millions - of people have done it.

So it's not like mandating KYC everywhere is going to actually solve anything. The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

Platforms are just following the direction of existing or strict regulations from the government, and we can only do if we want to use the platform, there is no other way for us to withdraw money from coins to fiat cash except through exchanges that have to go through KYC.

[OcTradism]

AI is rapidly developing as well. While fake documents and/or personal information has always existed pre-AI era, AI makes it far more accessible. Over time, will likely get close to resembling the real thing.

There is already a tool that could mimic what you do in a video, however with a different face, and it does look real in the human eye lol. Imagine the future in 5 years, in 10 years, etc. Then again KYC is more about compliance for the watch dogs, and not about solving anything.

KYC is basically useless and dangerous as it is and it won't only become useless by appearances and massive adoption growth of AI in recent years.

Normal for people who keep submitting their kyc details to every site that asks for it.

It starts with how they easily use many platforms including new ones with unknown operational history and business reputation. If they had not easily use new platforms like this, they would have not fallen in situations when they get KYC requests and have to make decisions between doing KYC and withdrawing money or don't doing KYC and accept fund stuck/ loss on that platform.

The risk is even if they send their personal documents there for KYC, there is nothing guarantee that the platform will approve their withdrawal request.

In reality, it's just a standard requirement for most financial platforms that handle deposits and withdrawals. The problem is, many of these businesses don't really prioritize securing the data they collect, that's why they use thirdparty platform to fo it aside from them. They usually just provide vague, generic privacy policies, which shows they don't take data protection seriously.

It's better if a company spend enough resources from finance to human for build up and maintain good security system but even if they are ready to do that, security is something huge and along the way there are holes for hackers to exploit. So even with good companies with no bad intention to leak or sell users' personal documents, there is still risk of such documents hacked and leaked somehow by hackers.

[X-ray]

The most important thing here is to always spend some time researching KYC-less alternative instead of keep using the services that enforces KYC strictly.

We need a trustless system that guarantee our safety yet most services that enforces KYC have counterparty risk.

One most realistic example is how Coinbase got their data leaked through outsourced employee and it incurred loss estimated to be around $180m.

Only limit KYC to a company that you're familiar with.

[cryptoaddictchie]

But KYC is not always necessary. You can exchange crypto quickly, anonymously, and securely. And for that, you don’t have to look for services outside our forum. The risk of choosing a visually appealing service can lead to deception — where the reviews were fake and your crypto is never sent back.

Yes this may be right but you lose some convenience on some services that you need. For example having Binance account. For me; its very useful not only on trading but also for the p2p services that it brings me which is convenient when I need money from my crypto cause they got a very easy access for this.

Yes we can do that anonymously but its not fast and quite hassle also needed to do with some trust on other users while Binance have a very practical way for two party to exchange easily from crypto to fiat and vice versa.

The only downside is giving up that KYC. Well I refuse to do a lot of kyc but only to those things that neessary for me, but if Im asked if I like it ofcourse not.

[d5000]

KYC abolition is not a niche, but mainstream: millions of users are already here

Reading this title, I would have expected some statistics about usage of no-KYC services.

I think from the typical learning curve new Bitcoiners go through (from investing at mainstream services like PayPal, through "crypto CEXes" with occasional withdrawal to a selfhosted wallet, up to strict "not your keys not your coins" and usage of no-KYC services) we could expect that such services have grown in the last years.

Googling that question, indeed the consensus seems to be that there was significant growth of no-KYC services in the last years. However, there were also websites that claim that the market share of services requiring KYC grew. Of course that's also caused by stricter regulation, and the two assumptions don't contradict themselves: if the crypto market grew in total, even a shrinking market share of no-KYC services would still result in growth.

I also tried to find out the growth of Bisq. It seems they exploded in 2021, but it's hard to find newer data (perhaps they don't publish data anymore). Bisq is interesting because it's a decentralized app which cannot be banned easily and thus unaffected by compliance requirements.

Then I looked at Google Trends. And the popularity for the keyphrase "no kyc crypto exchange" about tripled between 2021 and 2026, with a strong spike in mid-2025 (see here).

[Lucky smith]

The average person probably sends their documents to about 20 different services. Maybe more.

I wonder how many copies of their ID are floating around.

So it's not like mandating KYC everywhere is going to actually solve anything. The fact that these platforms already have enhanced, undisclosed compliance measures even for users who have already completed KYC just shows how useless collecting everyone's identification is.

And it only takes one hack, exit scam or something similar for all those documents to go into the hands of hard criminals who then use them to completely and irreversibly destroy your life.

It is really a scary thing but people still trade in security for comfort. As if though any of these platforms can or should be trusted in the first place.

I really do not understand their thinking.

Considering the alarming advancement of AI it's a risk to often share your documents on platforms, internet never forget even when deleted sometimes wayback machine can always help the tech guru's to recover it.
Moreover it's easy to clone document this days using AI including biometrics and the system may not be able to detect it.