Definition ∞ Beneficial ownership refers to the actual individual or entity that ultimately owns or controls an asset or legal entity. This concept distinguishes between legal ownership, held by a nominee or corporate structure, and the true economic interest. It identifies who ultimately profits from, or exercises control over, a digital asset or a company involved in the crypto space. Understanding this is crucial for transparency and regulatory compliance.
Context ∞ In the digital asset world, determining beneficial ownership is a central challenge for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations. Jurisdictions globally are developing frameworks to mandate the disclosure of ultimate owners of virtual asset entities, aiming to prevent illicit activities. The anonymous or pseudonymous nature of many blockchain transactions complicates the identification process, making this a significant area of regulatory focus and technological development for compliance solutions.
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