WASHINGTON, DC, March 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of their efforts to safeguard the virtual-asset sector from criminal abuse, Coinbase Global, Inc. and ACAMS are teaming up to educate anti-financial crime (AFC) professionals on the illicit-finance risks and compliance strategies associated with cryptocurrencies. Under the initiative, more than 60 Coinbase employees will take part in the new Certified Cryptoasset Anti-Financial Crime Specialist (CCAS) certification program, which trains participants on the AML controls and risk-management policies and procedures used across an array of stakeholder organizations in the crypto space.

Launched by ACAMS in October 2022, the CCAS program requires successful applicants to master such topics as common illicit-finance typologies in the crypto sector, Know-Your-Customer standards and best practices, strategies to monitor and track related blockchain payments, and relevant applications of machine-learning and artificial-intelligence tools. To obtain their CCAS credential, Coinbase compliance staff must pass a 175-minute exam of 100 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions drawn from the course’s study guide.

In addition to operating one of the largest and most globally recognized cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, Coinbase offers merchant payment services, trading platforms for digital assets, including Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and other products involved in the trade, custody, and use of cryptoassets. ACAMS, a leading membership organization for AFC professionals around the world, offers training opportunities and platforms for collaboration to more than 100,000 members in over 180 jurisdictions.

“By providing specialist-level ACAMS training to our compliance staff, we are continuing to ensure that Coinbase is an industry leader in efforts to implement strong and effective AML controls throughout the cryptoasset sector,” said Coinbase Chief Compliance Officer Melissa Strait. “CCAS will not only strengthen the skillset of our compliance staff, but it will also enhance how we deploy our proprietary blockchain analytics software, Coinbase Tracer, to identify and trace suspicious crypto payments.”

“This partnership proves that, even amid an economic downturn in the crypto space, cryptocurrency exchanges are taking the business of anti-financial crime compliance seriously,” said ACAMS CEO Scott Liles. “Coinbase recognizes that the best path to success for the cryptoasset sector is through the implementation of AFC controls that protect its customers and mitigate its regulatory risks.”

“We’re proud to partner with Coinbase on an initiative that will help safeguard the global financial sector,” he said.

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About Coinbase

Coinbase is building the cryptoeconomy – a more fair, accessible, efficient, and transparent financial system enabled by crypto. The company started in 2012 with the radical idea that anyone, anywhere, should be able to easily and securely send and receive Bitcoin. Today, Coinbase offers a trusted and easy-to-use platform for accessing the broader cryptoeconomy.

About ACAMS®

ACAMS is a leading international membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for anti-financial crime (AFC) education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking to AFC professionals globally. With over 100,000 members across 180 jurisdictions, ACAMS is committed to the mission of ending financial crime through the provision of anti-money laundering/counterterrorism-financing and sanctions knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, ESG initiatives, and platforms for public-private dialogue. The association’s CAMS certification is the gold- standard qualification for AFC professionals, while the CGSS certification is its premier specialist qualification for sanctions professionals. ACAMS’ 60+ Chapters globally further amplify the association’s mission through training and networking initiatives. Visit acams.org for more information.

Lashvinder Kaur
ACAMS
+44 7388 264478
lkaur@acams.org