Know Your Customer (KYC)
To comply with applicable financial regulations and maintain the security of the Platform, Opengates implements Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures for all users who transact on the Platform.
Verification Requirements
Before accessing payment features (funding contracts, receiving payouts, or withdrawing earnings), users must complete identity verification. This may include:
- Government-issued ID: National identity card, passport, or driving licence.
- Proof of address: Utility bill, bank statement, or official correspondence dated within the last 3 months.
- Selfie verification: A live photo to confirm identity matches the submitted document.
Opengates may request additional documentation based on the user's transaction volume, account age, or risk profile.
Verification Timelines
- Standard verification is typically completed within 24–48 hours.
- Additional verification for high-volume accounts may take up to 5 business days.
- Users will be notified immediately if their verification is rejected, along with the reason and instructions for resubmission.
Ongoing Verification
Opengates reserves the right to request updated verification at any time, including when:
- Account details are changed (name, address, or nationality).
- Unusual transaction patterns are detected.
- Regulatory requirements change.
Failure to complete requested verification may result in account restrictions, including suspension of payouts and contract funding.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
Opengates is committed to preventing the use of the Platform for money laundering, terrorist financing, or other financial crimes, in compliance with the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA), 2009 and Central Bank of Kenya regulations.
Prohibited Activities
Users may not use the Platform to:
- Launder the proceeds of criminal activity.
- Finance terrorism or other illegal activities.
- Evade sanctions or circumvent financial restrictions.
- Structure transactions to avoid reporting thresholds.
- Use the Platform as a conduit for transferring funds unrelated to legitimate freelance services.
Transaction Monitoring
Opengates monitors transactions for suspicious activity, including but not limited to:
- Transactions that are disproportionately large relative to the user's profile or history.
- Rapid or frequent changes to payout account details.
- Patterns consistent with structuring or layering.
- Transactions involving sanctioned individuals, entities, or jurisdictions.
Transaction Limits
To reduce risk, the following transaction limits apply:
- Per-transaction limit: USD 10,000.
- Monthly cumulative limit: USD 50,000.
Users requiring higher limits may request an increase by contacting support@opengates.app. Increased limits are subject to enhanced due diligence and additional verification.
Suspicious Activity Reporting
If Opengates detects or suspects activity that may constitute money laundering, terrorist financing, or other financial crime, we are obligated to:
- Report the activity to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) of Kenya.
- Freeze the affected account and any associated funds pending investigation.
- Cooperate with law enforcement and regulatory authorities as required by law.
Opengates is prohibited from informing the affected user that a suspicious activity report has been filed (tipping-off prohibition).
Record Retention
In compliance with POCAMLA and CBK regulations, Opengates retains all transaction records, KYC documentation, and related correspondence for a minimum of 7 years from the date of the transaction or the end of the business relationship, whichever is later.
Sanctions Compliance
Opengates screens users and transactions against applicable sanctions lists, including those maintained by the United Nations, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the European Union. Users or transactions associated with sanctioned parties will be blocked and reported to the relevant authorities.
Fraud Prevention
Opengates employs automated and manual systems to detect and prevent fraud on the Platform. This includes:
- Account verification and authentication controls (mandatory 2FA).
- Velocity checks on transactions, login attempts, and payout account changes.
- Cross-referencing user data to identify duplicate or fraudulent accounts.
Users who are found to have engaged in fraudulent activity will have their accounts permanently terminated, pending funds forfeited (subject to legal process), and may be reported to law enforcement.
Security Vulnerability Reporting
If you discover a security vulnerability on the Opengates Platform, please report it responsibly to security@opengates.app. We ask that you:
- Provide a detailed description of the vulnerability.
- Allow Opengates 30 days to investigate and address the issue before any public disclosure.
- Do not exploit the vulnerability or access other users' data.
Opengates will acknowledge receipt of your report within 48 hours and provide updates on the investigation.
Your Obligations
By using the Platform, you agree to:
- Provide truthful and accurate information during KYC verification.
- Not use the Platform for any purpose that violates applicable laws or regulations.
- Promptly report any suspicious activity you observe on the Platform to support@opengates.app.
- Cooperate with Opengates and law enforcement in any investigation related to your account or transactions.