Cexvia Wiki / Regulation & asset transparency

Know the terms.
Understand the limits.

Explore the concepts behind exchange regulation and reserve verification, and understand what each can prove.

7 articles · Updated 2026-09-03
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Regulation13 min read

Crypto Exchange Licenses Explained: Registered, Authorized or Regulated?

What does it mean when a crypto exchange says it is licensed or regulated? Learn the difference between registration, authorization, VASP, CASP and MSB status, and how to verify a crypto exchange license.

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Regulation, reserves
and verification.

01Regulation

FinCEN MSB Registration for Crypto Exchanges: What It Proves — and What It Doesn't

Is FinCEN MSB registration a U.S. crypto license? Learn what Money Services Business registration means, when crypto exchanges may be money transmitters, how state licenses differ, and what an MSB record actually proves.

02Asset transparency

Merkle Proofs in Crypto: How Exchanges Verify Your Balance Without Revealing Everyone Else's

Learn how Merkle trees, Merkle roots and Merkle proofs work in crypto, why exchanges use them for Proof of Reserves, how users verify balance inclusion, and what a Merkle proof cannot prove.

03Asset transparency

Proof of Reserves Explained: Does PoR Really Mean an Exchange Is Fully Backed?

Does Proof of Reserves mean a crypto exchange is safe or fully solvent? Learn how PoR works, what reserve ratios and Merkle proofs show, and what Proof of Reserves cannot prove.

04Regulation

What Is a CASP? Crypto-Asset Service Provider Under MiCA Explained

Learn what a CASP is under the EU MiCA regulation, which crypto services require authorization, how MiCA passporting works, and the difference between CASP and VASP.

05Regulation

What Is a VASP? Virtual Asset Service Provider Explained

Learn what a VASP is, which crypto businesses qualify as Virtual Asset Service Providers, how VASP registration works, and why VASP status is not the same as a universal crypto license.

06Asset transparency

Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Crypto: What ZK Can Verify Without Revealing the Data

Learn how zero-knowledge proofs work, the difference between zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs, how crypto exchanges use ZK in Proof of Reserves, and what ZK proofs cannot prove about exchange solvency.