Review: The goal of this research is the examination of the actual and potential risks of using cryptocurrency in criminal activities, including for laundering money obtained illegally, financing of terrorism, and determination of the acceptable methods of counteracting unlawful acts. In the course of this study, the author analyzes the documents of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) pertinent to regulation of the sphere of virtual assets (since 2013 and up to the new revision of Recommendation 15 and Glossary adopted by FATF in October 2018; as well as the preliminary version of requirements for the representatives of cryptocurrency sector announced by FATF in February 2019); examines the models of legal regulation of cryptocurrency sector aimed at counteracting money laundering and terrorism financing in a number of foreign countries, Russian law enforcement practice on criminal offences related to the use of cryptocurrency, and the position of expert community with regards to determination of the legal status of cryptocurrencies as a subject of criminal violation. The main conclusions lie in the development of proposals on amending the current anti-legalization legislation aimed at the establishment of vigilant control over cryptocurrency circulation for counteracting money laundering and financing of terrorism in the Russian Federation. The author endorses an opinion on the need for licensing the activity of service providers regarding the exchange, transfer and storage of cryptocurrencies, and establishing responsibility of the indicated organizations for conducting verification of identity of cryptocurrency holders and their transactions; as well as points at the possible ways of collection and verification of identity information.

Keywords: KYC, cryptocurrency, cryptocurrency operations, terrorist financing, risk-based approach, AML, FATF, identification, licensing, virtual currency