FinCEN Declares Bitcoin Escrow and Cloud Mining Not Money Transmitters

The US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has issued a release, ruling that bitcoin cloud mining services and Escrow services are not considered money transmitters.

Money Transmitters

The statement comes as a response after businesses requested a clearer understanding of FinCEN policies.

The financial institution has previously provided ways for digital currency miners and investors to be regulated under money transmission laws. Such releases offer the agencies views on new and important matters.

Cloud mining consists of a customer leasing mining hardware capabilities through a cloud based service. Customers pay providers for the service through set contracts, which are usually monthly or yearly.

FinCEN feels this type of business is not labeled under their Bank Secrecy Act. They stated:

“Renting of mining computer systems to third parties does not make the Company a money transmitter under BSA regulations.” In terms of digital currencies being treated as property, the organization added that, “All virtual currency mined by the third party remains the third party’s property, and the Company has no access to the third party wallet, nor receives or pays virtual currency on the third party’s behalf.”

Escrow, in the realm of digital currency, is an exchange between two parties, ensuring that both sides follow through with the transaction; all while remaining anonymous. It is one of the key principles that sets up bitcoin’s make up. FinCEN’s statement reads

“[Escrow company] needs to take possession of the funds and hold them in escrow until the pre-established conditions for the funds to be paid to the seller or returned to the buyer are met, then release those funds appropriately.”

Such activities are not covered under FinCEN law.

BitMining

It was back in January of this year that FinCEN recognized digital mining. It was unclear as to which ruling the digital mining space would fall under, but with their recent statement, it seems FinCEN has a better understanding of what they are leaning toward.

The announcement looked to clear up FinCEN’s announcement from March 2013, which indicated that businesses took responsibility in having to comply with anti-money laundering, keeping records and reporting under FinCEN regulations.

For more bitcoin news, stay tuned to CoinReport.

Featured Image