Definition ∞ A money transmitter is an entity that provides money transfer services, facilitating the movement of funds on behalf of others. This typically involves receiving currency or its equivalent from one party and sending it to another party, often across different locations or financial systems. Such firms are subject to specific regulatory oversight, including licensing requirements and anti-money laundering (AML) obligations, due to their role in financial flows. This designation carries significant compliance responsibilities.
Context ∞ The classification of digital asset service providers as money transmitters is a critical regulatory issue, impacting cryptocurrency exchanges, custodians, and certain decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Regulators are increasingly applying traditional money transmission laws to entities dealing with virtual assets, leading to debates about the applicability of these rules to decentralized protocols. Future regulatory actions will likely clarify the scope of money transmitter obligations for various digital asset activities, aiming to balance innovation with financial integrity and consumer protection.
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