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Know Your Customer (KYC)

Overview

KYC is the set of processes that establish and maintain customer identity, risk profiles, and suitability. At onboarding, institutions collect and verify identity evidence (government ID, biometrics with liveness, authoritative databases), evaluate sanctions/PEP/adverse media, and assign risk ratings that determine limits and monitoring intensity.

Ongoing KYC includes periodic refreshes, event-driven updates, and continuous screenings that capture life changes or new risks. A robust KYC programis risk-based: higher-risk customers (e.g., PEPs, complex cross-border activity) receive enhanced due diligence; low-risk customers enjoy streamlined flows. Governance covers policies, training, QA, model management, and auditable decision trails. Done well, KYC reduces fraud and AML exposure while maintaining user experience via orchestration, coached capture, and proportionate controls.

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Explore tools that help you onboard, monitor, and verify with confidence

One Touch KYC

Launch global KYC flows with built-in document OCR, liveness checks, deepfake detection, and AML, all through a single, customizable dashboard.

Database Verification

Instantly verify user information by connecting to trusted databases across jurisdictions for accurate, compliant, and faster onboarding.

Biometric Verification

Authenticate users with facial, fingerprint, and liveness biometrics powered by AI to prevent identity spoofing and fraud.

Related Terms

Customer Due Diligence (CDD)

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

Identity Verification (IDV)

FAQ

What evidence is essential?

Authentic documents, biometric liveness+match, and database corroboration, plus screenings. Context signals (device/IP) strengthen assurance without over-collecting data.

How is risk assigned?

Using product, geography, occupation, and behavior. Scores drive limits, refresh cadence, and monitoring scenarios.

What makes KYC “risk-based”?

Controls scale with exposure: EDD for high risk; simplified checks for low risk documented and defensible to regulators.

How do we balance UX?

Orchestrate steps, guide capture, and step up only on risk signals; reuse previous trust where allowed.