US Treasury Considers Digital ID Requirements for DeFi Platforms to Combat Financial Crime

The US Treasury Department wants to embed identity verification directly into decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms as part of a major push to stop money laundering and other illegal activities in cryptocurrency markets.

The Treasury launched a public consultation on August 18, asking for feedback on how digital identity tools could automatically check users before they complete transactions. The proposal stems from the GENIUS Act, which President Trump signed into law in July.

Under this system, DeFi smart contracts would verify a person’s identity credentials before executing any transaction. This would build Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) safeguards directly into blockchain infrastructure.

What the Treasury Proposal Includes

The Treasury wants to explore four main technologies to fight financial crime in crypto:

• Application programming interfaces (APIs) that let different software systems communicate

• Artificial intelligence to analyze transaction patterns

• Digital identity verification using government IDs or biometrics

• Blockchain monitoring tools to track suspicious activities

Digital identity solutions could include government-issued documents, biometric data, or portable credentials. These tools would reduce compliance costs for financial institutions while protecting user privacy, according to the Treasury.

The system could help banks and DeFi services detect money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions violations before transactions happen rather than after.

GENIUS Act Drives New Requirements

The GENIUS Act creates the first comprehensive US regulatory framework for payment stablecoins – digital currencies backed by US dollars or Treasury bonds.

The law requires stablecoin companies to maintain full backing with safe assets like cash or short-term government bonds. Companies issuing more than $10 billion worth of stablecoins face federal oversight, while smaller firms can work with state regulators.

President Trump’s administration sees this as strengthening US dollar dominance globally. Stablecoin companies already rank as the 18th largest holders of US government debt worldwide.

The law takes effect in January 2027 or 120 days after federal agencies publish final rules, whichever comes first.

Banking Industry Pushes Back

Major US banks worry the new stablecoin rules could hurt their business. The Bank Policy Institute warned Congress that stablecoin growth could trigger up to $6.6 trillion in deposit outflows from traditional banks.

Banks fear stablecoin companies might find ways around restrictions on paying interest to customers. A loophole could let issuers partner with exchanges to offer yields, undermining the law’s intent.

The stablecoin market has grown rapidly to over $200 billion globally. These digital dollars now process more payment volume than Visa and Mastercard combined, but most activity happens outside traditional US banking oversight.

Privacy and Innovation Concerns

The Treasury acknowledges that embedding identity checks in DeFi could create privacy risks and operational challenges. Financial institutions might struggle with costs to acquire and integrate new compliance tools.

DeFi platforms currently operate without traditional gatekeepers, allowing anyone with internet access to trade, lend, or borrow cryptocurrency. Adding identity requirements would fundamentally change how these systems work.

Critics worry strict regulations could stifle innovation in the crypto space. Smaller startups might not afford compliance costs, potentially leading to market consolidation where only large players survive.

The Treasury says it will evaluate each technology based on effectiveness, costs, privacy risks, cybersecurity concerns, and operational challenges.

Public Input and Next Steps

The Treasury accepts public comments until October 17, 2025. After reviewing feedback, officials will conduct research and submit a report to Congress with legislative and regulatory recommendations.

The department may issue guidance or propose new rules based on research results. This could reshape how DeFi platforms operate in the United States.

The consultation fulfills requirements in the GENIUS Act and supports President Trump’s executive order on “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology.”

Financial institutions must evaluate these tools as part of comprehensive compliance programs. The Treasury warns that innovative solutions may present resource burdens and difficulties during early implementation stages.

The Road Ahead

This consultation represents a turning point for cryptocurrency regulation. If implemented, digital identity requirements could transform DeFi from a permissionless system into one with built-in compliance mechanisms.

The success of this approach depends on balancing regulatory goals with innovation and privacy protection. The Treasury’s final recommendations will likely influence how other countries regulate decentralized finance platforms.