[austincheney]

I suspect they would find some efficiently fraudulent manipulation in the complete absence of regulation, if only those exchanges were regulated enough to retain data sufficient for such inquiries.

[pjc50]

Fortunately all the cryptocurrency in and out transactions are irrevocably documented on a public legder.

[JumpCrisscross]

> all the cryptocurrency in and out transactions are irrevocably documented on a public legder

The blockchain doesn't (consistently) tell you who owns which wallets, nor if they're a terrorist financier or money launderer. This is besides the point that "exchange" has a specific legal meaning under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

[ceejayoz]

One exchange user selling to another user on the same exchange (or to themselves, i.e. a wash trade) needn't hit the public ledger.

[oarsinsync]

Indeed. Only when crypto funds leave the exchange does it hit the ledger. When it’s in the exchange, it’s all in their private database.

[atomical]

That doesn't even scratch the surface of illegal trading activities that are probably taking place.

[josu]

>if only those exchanges were regulated enough to retain data sufficient for such inquiries.

It wouldn't surprise if they do indeed keep all the data. After all, almost all these companies are data driven, and they have data analysis departments [0].

[0] https://www.coinbase.com/careers/797769?locale=en