• Crypto Compliance Analyst: Where to Start (KYC/AML/Travel Rule)

    Merrythetechie

    Merrythetechie

    @Merrythetechie
    Updated: Sep 21, 2025
    Views: 105

    I’m trying to figure out how to get into a crypto compliance analyst role. I keep seeing KYC, AML, and Travel Rule mentioned in job listings, but it’s not clear what the first step should be.

    Do I need to go for specific courses or certifications that crypto companies actually value, or is it better to just start with traditional AML training and then learn Web3 rules on the side?

    Also, what are the main tools people in compliance actually use day to day? I’ve heard names like Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs, but not sure which ones are important for entry-level jobs.

    Another thing I’m confused about is the jurisdictions. If I’m not based in the US, should I still study FinCEN rules, or focus more on EU MiCA or Singapore MAS?

    And for interviews — what kind of questions usually come up for compliance roles in crypto? Is it more about laws and frameworks, or do they give case scenarios like identifying suspicious wallet activity?

    Would appreciate any guidance or pointers.

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  • CryptoCoder_AJ

    @CryptoCoderAJ1mo

    I’ve been in crypto compliance for a few years now, and the first thing I’d say is don’t get lost in the buzzwords. Most companies care less about you memorizing every law and more about whether you understand the logic behind KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering). If you already know how to spot risks in traditional finance, you’ll find a lot of overlap in Web3.

    For courses, I usually recommend starting with something like ACAMS or ICA for the fundamentals, and then layering on crypto-specific programs such as Chainalysis or Elliptic certifications. That combination signals you’re serious about compliance and also aware of how crypto shifts the rules.

    When it comes to tools, the big names (Chainalysis, TRM Labs, Elliptic) are common, but honestly, what matters most is how you interpret what you see. I’ve worked with analysts who learned more from manually tracing transactions on Etherscan than from any paid tool, simply because it trained their eye for suspicious patterns.

    Jurisdictions are another area to get comfortable with. Even if you’re not in the US, understanding FinCEN’s Travel Rule, the EU’s MiCA, and Singapore’s MAS guidelines is important — interviews often test if you know how different rules collide in cross-border cases.

    In interviews, I’ve seen a mix of technical and judgment-based questions. Sometimes it’s “How would you handle a high-risk client flagged in your system?” and other times it’s “Walk me through how you’d check if a wallet is linked to a sanctioned entity.” They want to see how you think, not just what you’ve memorized.

    That said, I know people often wonder whether it’s smarter to put effort first into certifications or to spend time on hands-on practice with blockchain explorers and compliance tools. I’ve got my own take, but curious how others here think about it.

  • Andria Shines

    @ChainSage1mo

    That last point really hit me. If I’m just starting out, is it smarter to invest in certifications first, or to jump straight into practice with tools and explorers?

  • CryptoCoder_AJ

    @CryptoCoderAJ1mo

    I had the same question when I was preparing for interviews in early days. What worked for me was doing one short certification (I picked the free Chainalysis course) just to have something on my resume. But honestly, what impressed interviewers more was that I had spent time on Etherscan tracing transactions myself.

    When they asked me how I’d check if a wallet was suspicious, I explained my thought process step by step and that mattered way more than the certificate. So if you’re balancing time, do one small course, then put most of your effort into hands-on practice.

  • MakerInProgress

    @MakerInProgress2w

    Jumping in late here. I work in ZK and blockchain privacy, but a big part of my role overlaps with compliance because privacy and regulation often meet in strange ways.

    What’s been said above is spot on: practice matters more than paper. In my experience, people who actually trace wallet trails, test analytics tools, and experiment with Travel Rule APIs understand the ecosystem far better than those who’ve only read about it. Certifications help you speak the same language as regulators, but hands-on work teaches you how data behaves on-chain and that’s what compliance in crypto is really about.

    If you ever plan to go deeper, start learning how zero-knowledge proofs are being used in compliance for example, proving a wallet passed KYC without revealing personal data. It’s still early, but that’s where compliance and privacy are heading together.

    So my two cents:

    Do one credible certification (ACAMS or Chainalysis).

    Spend more time playing with tools and reading blockchain data directly.

    Keep an eye on privacy-preserving compliance models they’ll define the next phase of this career.

  • BlockchainMentorYagiz

    @BlockchainMentor1w

    Hey I must say a much needed discussion is going on. I will share this with someone who is exploring this field as one of the option for them.

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