AML / KYC
Last updated: 2026-04-30
wausernames operates as a buyer-funded escrow marketplace for digital handles. We apply tiered identity verification proportional to the cumulative amount a user sends or receives, in line with FCA guidance for low-value digital-asset intermediaries and EU 5AMLD obligations.
Tier thresholds
All thresholds are 90-day cumulative, measured separately for buy-side and sell-side volume.
| Tier | Verification | 90-day limit |
|---|---|---|
| ANONYMOUS | None — read-only browse / search / watchlist | £0 (cannot trade) |
| LIGHT | Verified email (magic link) | £100 |
| FULL | Stripe Identity (passport / driving licence + selfie) + bank verification | £1,000 |
| ENHANCED | FULL + sanctions / PEP screen + source-of-funds proof | £25,000 |
Trades above £25,000 within a 90-day window are reviewed individually before capture.
Identity verification flow
- User initiates upgrade from /account. We hand off to Stripe Identity, which captures a government-issued photo ID and a liveness selfie.
- Bank verification: Stripe Connect onboarding confirms the user's payout bank account name matches the verified identity.
- Sanctions / PEP screen at ENHANCED tier: we use a third-party screening provider (currently ComplyAdvantage). Hits trigger manual review and may pause the trade.
- Source-of-funds proof at ENHANCED tier: bank statement, payslip, or signed declaration explaining the legitimacy of funds >£25k.
What we collect
- Email address, phone number (E.164 format), country of residence.
- ID document and selfie via Stripe Identity (we receive only a verification result; Stripe holds the documents).
- Bank account name and last 4 digits for payout verification.
- Source-of-funds proof for ENHANCED tier (held in encrypted storage).
Country of residence
Country is verified at FULL tier upgrade and again at ENHANCED. Listings are restricted from sellers resident in jurisdictions where digital-handle resale is treated as unlicensed virtual-asset trading — see Jurisdictional restrictions.
Reporting obligations
We file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the UK National Crime Agency where warranted. We respond to lawful requests from UK and EEA financial-crime regulators. We do not respond to fishing requests or non-compliant disclosure demands.
Data retention
KYC documents and screening results are retained for 5 years after account closure, as required by UK Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Trade records are retained for 6 years.
Contact
Compliance questions: [email protected]