AML compliance made simple for the art market

KYCProtect is a purpose-built KYC and AML compliance platform for the art market. Galleries, antique dealers, and auction houses across the UK and EU are legally classified as Art Market Participants (AMPs) under the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD), which came into force in January 2020. This classification places them under the same Anti-Money Laundering regulatory framework that has long applied to banks, law firms, and financial advisors.

The core obligation is clear: for any transaction — or series of linked transactions — reaching €10,000 or more, art businesses must conduct Customer Due Diligence. This means verifying the identity of both buyer and seller, screening against global sanctions lists, checking for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), running adverse media searches, assessing transaction risk, and storing all documentation securely for a minimum of five years.

EU Regulation 2024/1624 has since strengthened these requirements and established the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), a central EU supervisory body with direct enforcement powers over sectors including the art market. In the UK, equivalent requirements are enforced by HMRC under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations.

Despite this regulatory clarity, the majority of art businesses are still managing compliance manually — through PDF checklists, email attachments, and spreadsheets. These processes are slow, inconsistent, and genuinely risky. A single missed check or lost document can result in a regulatory fine, a failed audit, or worse.

KYCProtect replaces manual workflows with a guided digital system that any gallery owner, director, or sales coordinator can use without specialist compliance knowledge. From initial client onboarding through to Enhanced Due Diligence, ongoing monitoring, and annual re-screening, the platform handles every step and produces a complete, audit-ready client file in minutes.

What sets KYCProtect apart from generic compliance tools is that it was built with the art market in mind. We understand the pace of art sales, the sensitivity around identity disclosure, the importance of collector relationships, and the international nature of high-value transactions. Our platform adds structure and security without adding friction — preserving the discretion that is central to how galleries and dealers operate.

KYCProtect screens against institutionally recognised global data sources including OFAC, EU sanctions registers, FATF lists, Interpol, FBI, DEA watchlists, and a continuously updated adverse media index covering 235,000+ news sources. All data is encrypted at rest and in transit, with role-based access controls to ensure only authorised team members can view sensitive client information.

Whether you are an independent dealer handling occasional high-value sales or a large auction house managing hundreds of verifications per year, KYCProtect has a plan that fits. Start your free trial with 3 verifications included — no credit card required.