March 27, 2025
By Our Correspondent
Cryptocurrency fraud is experiencing a decline in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, attributed to the adoption of advanced technologies and enhanced regulatory measures. A recent report by Sumsub indicates that the rate of crypto fraud decreased significantly by 23% from 2023 to 2024, establishing APAC as a frontrunner in the fight against such fraudulent activities.
The findings, derived from Sumsub’s internal data on identity verification and user behavior from 2023 and 2024, as well as a survey involving over 300 companies in the crypto, banking, payments, and e-commerce sectors, highlight that APAC was the sole region to witness a reduction in crypto fraud in 2024, with rates falling from 2.6% in 2023 to 2% in 2024. The report attributes these positive outcomes primarily to advancements in fraud prevention technologies.
Innovations such as biometric verification and automation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly improved security measures and fraud detection capabilities. To capitalize on these advancements, crypto firms in APAC are increasingly turning to specialized service providers. Sumsub’s 2024 industry survey indicates a strong inclination towards automated third-party solutions (40%) and hybrid approaches (45%) for identity verification within the industry, as traditional manual and in-house verification methods struggle to keep pace with the rapid demands of the crypto sector.
In addition to enhancing fraud detection, technology is also optimizing processes, expediting onboarding while simultaneously lowering drop-off rates. Between 2023 and 2024, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region experienced the most significant improvement in verification speed, with average onboarding times reduced by 52% during this timeframe. Hong Kong secured the 6th position among the top 10 markets in the region, achieving an average verification duration of just 18 seconds. The emergence of document-free verification The Sumsub report further emphasizes the growing trend of document-free (non-doc) identity verification. This approach allows for the verification of customer identities without the need for identification documents (IDs).
Instead, users are required to provide essential information, such as an identification number, which is then validated against government databases. An illustration of non-documentary verification is Sumsub’s Non-Doc identity and address verification solutions, which enable companies to verify users in an average of 4.5 seconds without the necessity for photo or document uploads. According to the 2024 Sumsub crypto survey, countries that have adopted this technology are experiencing an average enhancement of 3.6% in verification times. Although non-doc verification is still a relatively novel method of identity verification, its adoption rate in APAC is among the highest globally. Currently, 25% of cryptocurrency firms in the region have implemented this approach, compared to 19% in Europe and 18% in North America, with the global average at 19%.
The reduction in cryptocurrency fraud rates corresponds with the proactive regulatory initiatives undertaken by prominent financial centers in the Asia-Pacific region to improve transparency, security, and stability within the industry. In Hong Kong, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) provides explicit regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). This includes mandates for customer due diligence, continuous monitoring, and the maintenance of specific records related to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT).
In Singapore, the central bank enhanced the Payment Services Act (PSA) in 2024, imposing stricter obligations on cryptocurrency service providers concerning AML/CFT, user protection, and the financial stability of these providers. According to Sumsub, Hong Kong and Singapore are recognized as two of the top ten crypto-friendly jurisdictions globally, noted for their strong regulatory frameworks, advanced infrastructure, and dedication to promoting fintech innovation. In Singapore, government-supported accelerators and initiatives, such as the MAS Fintech Sandbox, facilitate innovation by providing grants and controlled testing environments for fintech startups. Additionally, education is crucial, with leading institutions like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Management University (SMU) offering specialized programs in blockchain technology.
Hong Kong similarly fosters cryptocurrency innovation through its sophisticated digital infrastructure and robust cybersecurity protocols. Regulatory sandboxes promote collaboration among fintech organizations and international stakeholders, while government-supported initiatives like Project Ensemble Sandbox investigate tokenization in the financial sector, thereby enhancing the integration of blockchain technology within the industry.
Asia stands as a frontrunner in cryptocurrency adoption. In 2024, Central and Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) led Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index, featuring seven of the top 20 countries from this region. The countries included India (#1), Indonesia (#3), Vietnam (#5), the Philippines (#8), Pakistan (#9), Thailand (#16), and Cambodia (#17).
