Cryptocurrency traders have found a loophole to gain access to restricted platforms: digital residency in Palau.

In this Pacific island nation, known more for scuba diving than technological advancement, a year’s digital residency can be had for just $248.

The holy grail in digital residency

Cryptocurrencies and their associated exchanges are subject to regulatory oversight all over the world. For this reason, trading platforms such as Binance are banned in the United States, Canada and China due to the lack of operating licenses.

However, an innovative program Launched by the Government of Palau in early 2022 may provide a controversial alternative solution.

While Binance is not allowed to operate within US borders, it is claimed to have around 2,000 registered users with a Palauan ID. But the question remains, does digital residency in Palau promote illegal circumvention of regulatory policies, or is it just an unintended consequence?

Palau’s digital residency technology, RNS, provides a digital and physical ID card after undergoing an approval process that includes anti-money laundering checks. This residency does not confer citizenship or passport rights but allows identity verification for a wide range of companies.

A loophole for cryptocurrency traders

Interestingly, much of the conversation surrounding the Palau program has focused on cryptocurrencies. By having an identity card outside their home country, cryptocurrency traders hide their residency. Next, access restricted exchanges and high-risk investment products.

Cryptocurrency exchanges often require government-issued photo identification to gain access, making digital residency in Palau a tantalizing proposition for avid cryptocurrency traders.

However, the government of Palau and the RNS platform both deny endorsing any activity circumventing the law.

Jay Anson, Program Director at the Palau Ministry of Finance, Confirms The government’s lack of control over how an individual uses the ID card. RNS reiterates its commitment to legal compliance and is reported to reduce apps that could conflict with regulations in restricted countries.

“We don’t encourage people to fake their physical residency or circumvent laws,” Anson said.

Despite these reassurances, cryptocurrency traders shared their experiences by using their Palau ID to access blocked exchanges on social media. Conflicting testimonials from exchanges such as Huobi, Kraken, and Crypto.com regarding Palauan ID acceptance for identity verification further muddy the waters.