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Austria Bars KuCoin EU From Onboarding Over Missing AML, Sanctions Staff

The freeze remains until the exchange installs FMA‑validated officers for AML plus sanctions oversight.

Overview

  • Austria’s Financial Market Authority imposed an immediate prohibition on KuCoin EU signing new contracts or onboarding customers across its MiCA scope.
  • The regulator said the exchange no longer has an AML officer and deputy or a sanctions compliance officer and deputy, which are mandated key functions.
  • The onboarding ban will stay in force until those posts are filled and validated by the FMA under Austrian anti‑money‑laundering rules.
  • KuCoin EU said it is expanding its Vienna compliance team and recruiting experienced local professionals, according to managing director Sabina Liu.
  • The action follows KuCoin EU’s November MiCA authorization and reflects closer post‑licensing oversight as Vienna attracts other exchanges such as Bitpanda, Bybit, and Bitget.