Cross border payments are transactions that involve sending or receiving money across national borders. They are essential for international trade, remittances, e-commerce, and foreign investments. However, cross border payments also pose significant challenges and risks for businesses and individuals, especially in the context of increased scrutiny from regulators, law enforcement, and tax authorities.

One of the main challenges of cross border payments is compliance with the complex and diverse regulations and standards that govern different jurisdictions. These include anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CTF), sanctions, tax reporting, currency controls, and data protection. Failing to comply with these requirements can result in fines, penalties, delays, or even criminal charges.

Another challenge of cross border payments is the cost and efficiency of the payment process. Depending on the payment method, channel, and intermediary, cross border payments can incur high fees, exchange rate losses, operational overheads, and long processing times. These factors can affect the profitability, cash flow, and customer satisfaction of the payment parties.

Therefore, managing cross border payments effectively requires a strategic approach that balances the trade-offs between compliance, cost, and efficiency. Some of the best practices for managing cross border payments during increased scrutiny are:

Choosing the right payment method and channel: There are various options for making cross border payments, such as wire transfers, card payments, digital wallets, blockchain-based platforms, and payment service providers (PSPs).

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of speed, security, convenience, cost, and regulatory compliance. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the suitability of each option for the specific payment scenario and select the one that meets the needs and expectations of both the sender and the receiver.

Leveraging technology and automation: Technology and automation can help streamline and optimize the cross-border payment process by reducing manual errors, enhancing data quality, improving visibility and traceability, and facilitating reporting and reconciliation.

For example, using application programming interfaces (APIs) can enable seamless integration between different payment systems and platforms, while using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can help detect fraud and anomalies in real-time.

Partnering with reputable and reliable intermediaries: Intermediaries such as banks, PSPs, and fintech companies play a crucial role in facilitating cross border payments by providing access to payment networks, infrastructure, and services. However, not all intermediaries are equally trustworthy and competent.

Therefore, it is essential to conduct due diligence on the intermediaries before engaging them for cross border payments. Some of the criteria to consider are their reputation, track record, regulatory compliance status, security measures, customer service quality, and fee structure.

Staying updated on the latest regulations and standards: Regulations and standards for cross border payments are constantly evolving and changing to address new risks and challenges in the global financial system.

Therefore, it is imperative to keep abreast of the latest developments and updates in the relevant jurisdictions and sectors. This can help avoid potential pitfalls and take advantage of new opportunities in cross border payments. Moreover, it can also help demonstrate compliance readiness and transparency to regulators, law enforcement, and tax authorities.

Cathie Wood, the founder and CEO of Ark Invest, has criticized Vanguard’s decision to block its clients from investing in Bitcoin ETFs. In a recent interview, Wood said that Vanguard was making a “terrible” mistake by ignoring the potential of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. She argued that Bitcoin was not only a store of value, but also a catalyst for innovation and social change.

Vanguard announced last week that it will not offer its customers access to Bitcoin ETFs, citing regulatory uncertainty and high volatility. This decision comes as a surprise to many investors who were hoping to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market through a regulated and low-cost vehicle. Vanguard’s move is also in contrast to other major players such as Fidelity and BlackRock, who have expressed interest in launching their own Bitcoin ETFs or have already filed applications with the SEC.

Vanguard’s spokesperson said that the firm is “always evaluating new products and services based on client demand, but we have no plans to offer a Bitcoin ETF at this time.” The spokesperson added that Vanguard believes that “Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are highly speculative and do not meet our long-term investment criteria.” Vanguard also warned its customers about the risks of investing in unregulated and volatile assets, saying that they “could lose a substantial portion or even all of their investment.”

Vanguard’s stance on Bitcoin ETFs is likely to disappoint some of its customers who are looking for more diversification and innovation in their portfolios. However, the firm may also be trying to protect its reputation and avoid potential legal troubles, as the SEC has not yet approved any Bitcoin ETFs in the US and has repeatedly raised concerns about fraud, manipulation, liquidity, and custody issues. Vanguard may also be waiting for more clarity and stability in the cryptocurrency market before making any moves.

Vanguard’s decision to deny its customers access to Bitcoin ETFs may have an impact on the overall demand and price of Bitcoin, as well as on the prospects of other Bitcoin ETFs that are seeking approval from the SEC. However, it is not clear how significant this impact will be, as Vanguard’s customers may still be able to access Bitcoin through other platforms or products, such as Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust or Coinbase’s exchange. Moreover, Vanguard’s position may change in the future if the regulatory environment and the market conditions improve.

Wood said that Ark Invest was one of the first asset managers to embrace Bitcoin and allocate a portion of its funds to the digital asset. She said that Ark Invest had benefited from the strong performance of Bitcoin, which had outperformed most traditional assets in the past decade. She also said that Ark Invest had witnessed the growth of the Bitcoin ecosystem, which included various applications and services that leveraged the blockchain technology.

Wood said that Vanguard was missing out on a huge opportunity by denying its customers access to Bitcoin ETFs. She said that Bitcoin ETFs were a convenient and low-cost way for investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market, without having to deal with the technical and regulatory challenges of buying and storing Bitcoin directly. She said that Bitcoin ETFs were also a way to diversify one’s portfolio and hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

Wood said that Vanguard’s decision was based on a lack of understanding and vision. She said that Vanguard was still stuck in the old paradigm of investing, which focused on traditional assets such as stocks, bonds, and commodities. She said that Vanguard was ignoring the fact that Bitcoin was a new asset class, with unique properties and advantages. She said that Bitcoin was more than just a digital currency, but also a network, a protocol, and a platform for innovation.

Wood said that she hoped that Vanguard would reconsider its decision and allow its customers to access Bitcoin ETFs in the future. She said that she believed that Bitcoin was here to stay, and that it would continue to grow in value and adoption. She said that she was confident that Bitcoin would eventually become a mainstream asset, and that it would transform the world of finance and beyond.