SFAA Addresses Coverage for Virtual Currency in Money Transmitter License Bond Rules

SFAA Addresses Coverage for Virtual Currency in Money Transmitter License Bond Rules

SFAA submitted comments to the Washington Department of Financial Institutions to address proposed rules for money transmitters that expanded the meaning of money transmission to include the transmission of virtual currency. The bond?s existing condition requires the surety to secure the licensee?s compliance with this law. SFAA explained the risks in underwriting virtual currency transmissions due to the volatile fluctuations in the value of the currency. Virtual currency is subject to minimal regulation, is vulnerable to cyberattacks, and the accounts are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Underwriting these risks could increase the surety?s exposure by amounts that are difficult to quantify or identify so that the surety bond?s coverage should not be extended to cover them since it could negatively affect the bond?s availability.

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