Despite the positive financial news, the company’s annual report has faced issues. Independent auditors from the global accounting network BDO have reviewed the report and confirmed that it accurately reflects the state of the company’s affairs as of Dec. 31, 2021. However, the auditors also noted certain qualifications related to the report, which could impact its accuracy.

According to BDO’s qualified opinion section, the report was correct “except for the possible effects of the matters described in the basis for the qualified opinion section.” This suggests that there are certain factors that may affect the accuracy of the report, which the auditors have identified and highlighted.

Despite this, Revolut’s leadership remains optimistic about the company’s future prospects. The neobank has rapidly expanded its user base and range of services, including allowing customers to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The company has also expanded its operations globally, with offices in over 30 countries and plans to launch in new markets.

Revolut’s CEO, Nikolay Storonsky, expressed his satisfaction with the company’s performance in the 2021 fiscal year, stating, “We are delighted to report our first-ever full year of profitability, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.” He also emphasized the importance of innovation and growth in the company’s ongoing success, stating, “We are continuing to push boundaries and innovate in order to provide our customers with the best possible experience, and we look forward to even more growth and success in the years ahead.”

Revolut’s recent financial success and ongoing expansion efforts have cemented its position as a leading player in the fintech industry. Despite the issues with its annual report, the company’s strong financial performance and focus on innovation bode well for its future prospects.

The panelists acknowledged the growth of the crypto industry and emphasized the importance of both centralized and decentralized approaches to digital assets. Alexandra Sasha, the first deputy to the Danish Parliament, spoke of the need for both centralized and decentralized payment options. She stated that “you will have people who will want to centralize the digital era, and you will always have the people who do want this decentralized way of using payments, of course, unless it gets banned, but I do not think that’s the goal of anyone.”

Kelvin Lester Lee, commissioner of the Securities Exchange Commission of the Philippines, expressed uncertainty about whether regulated digital assets would be thriving by 2030. However, he acknowledged that they would still be present and might also look different. This suggests that while the future of digital assets is uncertain, it is clear that they will continue to be an important part of the financial landscape.

Douglas Arner, a professor working in the areas of interconnection between finance and technology regulation at the University of Hong Kong, added that this entire decade would be a competition between centralized approaches and decentralized approaches. According to Arner, the competition applies just as much in the context of the metaverse as it does in the context of the crypto ecosystem. He believes that by the end of the decade, there will be a spectrum of different structures where there’s a high likelihood that regulated stablecoins will emerge as the most widely used monetary instrument embedded in blockchain applications.

While there is still uncertainty about the future of regulated stablecoins, the panelists agreed that they are likely to remain an important part of the financial landscape. As the crypto industry continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how regulatory policies adapt to ensure the continued use and development of digital assets. It is clear that digital assets will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of finance, and that they will require careful management and regulation to ensure their continued success.

During a panel session titled “Blockchain Security to Smart Compliance: AML & KYC Solutions in DeFi,” industry leaders endorsed KYC as a solution to tackle Anti-Money Laundering (AML) issues. Dyma Budorin, the CEO of smart contract auditing firm Hacken, warned of the prevalence of tools readily available to hackers to “launder the money.” He described it as the “biggest issue” in the industry, where hackers can easily steal millions of dollars and launder the funds into various wallets, making it difficult to track the source of the funds. Therefore, he believes KYC is about transparency and accountability, and it should be part of the industry.

However, Victor Yim, the head of fintech at Hong Kong’s incubator for entrepreneurship, Cyberport, suggested that KYC alone would not solve all AML problems. He explained that even in traditional finance, where KYC measures are prominent, “there is still money laundering happening every day.” Despite this, Yim believes KYC measures can make a “better tomorrow” for the DeFi industry. He added that it would require a collective effort, including regulators, policy bureau, and other players, to execute successfully. He cited the concept of “anonymous traceable” as an example of a balance between anonymity and compliance, where individuals remain anonymous unless called upon by law enforcement, adding that it will “protect the good people while still getting the bad people.”

Alexander Scheer, the founder of zkMe, emphasized that different mechanisms should be used for different solutions. For example, crypto mixers need to be handled differently from DeFi front-ends and on- and off-ramps. Scheer also touched on regulations, stating that the DeFi industry should proactively take the lead and “front run” regulations before they are imposed by regulators. This proactive approach could help to ensure that regulations do not stifle innovation in the industry.

In conclusion, implementing KYC measures in DeFi could enhance transparency and accountability in the industry, making it more difficult for hackers to launder stolen funds. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that KYC alone is not a panacea for AML issues, and different mechanisms should be used for different solutions. The DeFi industry should collaborate with regulators and other stakeholders to develop effective solutions that balance compliance with innovation, safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, and preventing bad actors from exploiting the system.