West Virginia Cryptocurrency Laws

Relevant Statute

WV Code, Chapter 32A, Articles 2 and 3

“Money Transmitter” Definition

“Currency transmission” or “money transmission” means engaging in the business of selling or issuing checks or the business of receiving currency, the payment of money, or other value that substitutes for money by any means for the purpose of transmitting, either prior to or after receipt, that currency, payment of money or other value that substitutes for money by wire, facsimile or other electronic means, or through the use of a financial institution, financial intermediary, the Federal Reserve system or other funds transfer network. It includes the transmission of funds through the issuance and sale of stored value or similar prepaid products’ cards which are intended for general acceptance and used in commercial or consumer transactions. 32A-2-1

Additional Definitions

“Currency” means a medium of exchange authorized or adopted by a domestic or foreign government. “Check” or “payment instrument” means any check, traveler’s check, draft, money order or other instrument for the transmission or payment of money whether or not the instrument is negotiable. The term does not include a credit card voucher, a letter of credit or any instrument that is redeemable by the issuer in goods or services. 32A-2-1

Exemptions

(a) The following are exempt from the provisions of this article: (1) Banks, trust companies, foreign bank agencies, credit unions, savings banks, and savings and loan associations authorized to do business in the state and which qualify as federally insured depository institutions, whether organized under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States; (2) The United States and any department or agency of the United States; (3) The United States Postal Service; (4) This state and any political subdivision of this state; (5) The provision of electronic transfer of government benefits for any federal, state, or county governmental agency as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation E, by a contractor for and on behalf of the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or any state or any political subdivisions of a state; (6) Persons engaged solely in the business of currency transportation who operate an armored car service in this state pursuant to licensure under §30-18-1 et seq. of this code: Provided, That the net worth of the licensee exceeds $5 million. The term “armored car service” as used in this article means a service provided by a person transporting or offering to transport, under armed security guard, currency, or other things of value in a motor vehicle specially equipped to offer a high degree of security. Persons seeking to claim this exemption shall notify the commissioner of their intent to do so and demonstrate that they qualify for its use. Persons seeking an exemption under this subdivision are not exempt from the provisions of this article if they also engage in currency exchange or currency transmission; (7) Persons engaged in the business of currency transportation whose activities are limited exclusively to providing services to federally insured depository institutions, or to any federal, state, or local governmental entities; (8) Persons engaged solely in the business of removing currency from vending machines providing goods or services if the machines are not used for gambling purposes or to convey any gambling ticket, token, or other device used in a game of chance; (9) The State Regulatory Registry, LLC, which administers the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry on behalf of states and federal banking regulators; (10) The North American Securities Administrators Association and any subsidiaries, which administer the Electronic Filing Depository system on behalf of state securities regulators; and (11)(A) Persons operating a payment system that provides processing, clearing, or settlement services between or among persons who are all excluded by this section in connection with wire transfers, credit card transactions, debit card transactions, prepaid access transactions, automated clearing house transfers, or similar funds transfers; (B) Contracted service providers of an entity set forth in §32A-2-3(a)(1) of this code that provide processing, clearing, or settlement services in connection with wire transfers, credit card transactions, debit card transactions, prepaid access transactions, automated clearing house transfers, or similar funds transfers; or (C) Persons facilitating payment for goods or services (not including currency transmission or money transmission itself) pursuant to a contract with the payee and either payment to the person or persons facilitating the payment processing satisfies the payor’s obligation to the payee or that obligation is extinguished. (b) Any person who holds and maintains a valid license under this article may engage in the business of money transmission or currency exchange at one or more locations through or by means of an authorized delegate or delegates as set forth in §32A-2-27of this code, as the licensee may designate and appoint from time to time. No such authorized delegate is required to obtain a separate license under this article, but the use of sub-delegates is prohibited, and the authorized delegate may only conduct business on behalf of its licensee. (c) The issuance and sale of closed loop stored value cards or similar prepaid products which are intended to purchase items only from the issuer or seller of the closed loop stored value card is exempt from the provisions of this article. (d) Any person who is required and properly obtains a license under this article to transport currency is exempt from the requirements of §30-18-1 et seq. of this code.

Registration Fees

$1,000 License Registration Fee + $20 per authorized delegate $100 NMLS Processing Fee

Bond and Insurance Requirements

(a) A person who is licensed under this article shall post a bond with a qualified surety company doing business in this state that is acceptable to the commissioner. The bond shall be in the amount of $100,000 for a licensee which issues or sells checks or money orders, or which engages in currency exchange; or $300,000 for a licensee which engages in receiving money for transmission by wire, facsimile, or electronic transfer, or which engages in currency transportation. A licensee which engages in multiple types of these activities shall post the higher amount. A merchant obtaining a license solely to engage in the check cashing business not incidental to the main business of the merchant as required by article three of this chapter shall post a bond of $100,000. The bond required by this subsection shall be increased at the time of license renewal by one percent of the annual volume of business the licensee conducts in this state exceeding $10 million rounded to the nearest thousand, as reported by the licensee: Provided, that in no event shall the bond exceed $1 million.

Bond Alternatives and Additional Insurance Requirements

(b) No cash deposit or pledge of cash equivalent in instruments or securities may be accepted in lieu of the bond required by subsection (a) of this section

Capital Requirements

Has and will maintain a minimum tangible net worth of $50,000 computed according to generally accepted accounting principles as shown by the most recent audited financial statement filed with and satisfactory to the commissioner, and in addition has and will maintain a minimum tangible net worth of $25,000, computed according to generally accepted accounting principles for each office or delegate location other than its principal office at which its licensed business is transacted, except that an applicant for a license or renewal of a license may not be required by this article to maintain a tangible net worth of more than $1 million, computed according to generally accepted accounting principles. 32A-2-8

State Comments or Statements

The state statute does not define money, but its definition of money transmitter includes “engaging in the business of selling or issuing checks or the business of receiving currency, the payment of money, or other value that substitutes for money by any means for the purpose of transmitting…” Bill HCR 29 was introduced which would require the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study Bitcoin and its impact on the state, it’s citizens, and businesses. http://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hcr29%20intr.htm&yr=2018&sesstype=rs&i=29&houseorig=h&billtype=cr