Key Terms in Compliance

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FATF Key Terms Definitions

Virtual Asset

A virtual asset is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, or transferred, and can be used for payment or investment purposes. Virtual assets do not include digital representations of fiat currencies, securities and other financial assets that are already covered elsewhere in the FATF Recommendations.

Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP)

Virtual asset service provider means any natural or legal person who is not covered elsewhere under the Recommendations, and as a business conducts one or more of the following activities or operations for or on behalf of another natural or legal person:

• exchange between virtual assets and fiat currencies;
• exchange between one or more forms of virtual assets;
• transfer of virtual assets;
• safekeeping and/or administration of virtual assets or instruments enabling control over virtual assets; and
• participation in and provision of financial services related to an issuer’s offer and/or sale of a virtual asset.

Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)

Foreign PEPs are individuals who are or have been entrusted with prominent public functions by a foreign country, for example Heads of State or of government, senior politicians, senior government, judicial or military officials, senior executives of state owned corporations, and important political party officials.

Domestic PEPs are individuals who are or have been entrusted domestically with prominent public functions, for example Heads of State or of government, senior politicians, senior government, judicial or military officials, senior executives of state owned corporations, and important political party officials.

Persons who are or have been entrusted with a prominent function by an international organisation includes members of senior management like directors, deputy directors and members of the board or equivalent functions.

The definition of PEPs given in the above categories is not intended to cover middle ranking or more junior individuals.