Although Gnosis Pay is self-custodial, identity verification (KYC) is legally required to issue a Visa card and connect to the global financial system. Gnosis Pay partners with SumSub to securely handle this process.
A common question we receive is:
“If Gnosis Pay is self-custodial, why do I need to complete KYC?”
The answer is simple: Gnosis Pay bridges Web3 and traditional finance. While your funds always remain in your control via your self-custodial Gnosis Safe wallet, the Gnosis Pay Card operates on the globally regulated Visa payment network. Connecting to this network means we must follow legal and compliance requirements — including Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
To keep the process secure and user-friendly, Gnosis Pay partners with SumSub, a trusted identity verification provider.
Why KYC Is Necessary
KYC is a legal and regulatory requirement for any product that connects to traditional banking systems. Here’s why it matters:
✅ Compliance with Financial Regulations
We’re required to meet global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) standards. KYC is the industry-standard process to fulfil these obligations.
✅ Visa Network Requirements
To maintain global acceptance of the Gnosis Pay Card, we must follow Visa’s compliance rules. These include strict identity checks for all cardholders.
✅ Fraud Prevention
Verifying user identities helps protect the Gnosis Pay network from fraud, identity theft, and misuse.
✅ Web3 Legitimacy
By demonstrating compliance, we help build trust in self-custodial Web3 products and support their mainstream adoption.
What to Expect During the KYC Process
When you start the KYC process in the Gnosis Pay app, here’s what happens:
You enter your personal details
You upload a valid ID (e.g. passport, driver’s licence, or national ID)
SumSub verifies your identity securely and quickly
Compliance checks are run against global watchlists (e.g. sanctions, PEP lists)
This is all done through a secure, guided flow inside the app.
Think of it this way: your Gnosis Safe is your private vault. The Gnosis Pay Card is your passport to use it in the real world. To issue that passport, we need to verify who you are.
Need Help?
For common issues or rejected documents, visit:
🔗 Accepted Documents for KYC Verification
🔗 What to Expect During Manual KYC Review
Still have questions? Contact our support using the chat widget or via help@gnosispay.com.