--- title: "What Is Identity Verification And Why Do Cards Ask for It?" description: "Identity verification is required before you can use a crypto card. This guide explains why KYC exists, what it checks, and how KAST verifies users to keep accounts secure and compliant." section: "Blog" canonical: "https://www.kast.xyz/en/blog/learn/what-is-identity-verification-and-why-do-cards-ask-for-it" updated: "2026-09-18T02:16:57Z" --- # What Is Identity Verification And Why Do Cards Ask for It? #### Key Takeaways - KYC is required by law for any card that lets you spend real money, including KAST. - Verification protects your account by preventing fraud and identity misuse. - One quick check unlocks spending for most users, with approval usually taking only a short time. You sign up for a card. You’re ready to start using it. Then you’re asked to upload an ID and take a selfie. At that point, the question usually comes up: **Why is this necessary?** You already shared your email. Your phone number. You just want to use your money. The short answer is that verification isn’t optional. The longer answer is that it exists to protect you, the platform, and the financial system as a whole. Identity verification, also known as Know Your Customer (KYC), is required before you can use a [crypto card](https://www.kast.xyz/blog/learn/can-i-withdraw-cash-at-an-atm-using-my-crypto-card). This guide explains what identity verification actually checks, why it’s required, and how [KAST](https://web.kast.xyz/VqVO/7yofiklz) handles it. ## What Is Identity Verification (KYC)? Before a company can [issue a card](https://www.kast.xyz/blog/learn/are-crypto-cards-safe-to-use) or let you spend real money, it has to confirm who you are. This process is called **Know Your Customer**, or **KYC**. It’s required by financial regulators in every country where regulated payment services operate. KYC exists to make sure: - You are a real person - You are the person opening the account - You’re legally allowed to use the service ![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/629s37g3/production/ac1a9c75d9c627d27e54deeae97f0def1d0ad27f-1024x1024.png) _Identity Verification_ To do that, platforms typically ask for: - **A government-issued ID** (passport, national ID, or driver’s license) - **A selfie** to confirm the ID belongs to you - **Sometimes proof of address** depending on features or limits This isn’t unique to crypto or [KAST](https://www.kast.xyz). Banks, card issuers, and payment apps all follow the same rules. ## Why Crypto Cards Require KYC? ### To Prevent Identity Theft Without verification, anyone could open an account using someone else’s name and start spending. Confirming identity makes that much harder. ### To Meet Legal Requirements Financial services are regulated. Companies that don’t verify users aren’t allowed to operate. Verification is a legal obligation, not a preference. ### To Enforce Eligibility Rules Some services require you to be over a certain age, live in a specific country, or meet regulatory criteria. Verification makes sure those rules are followed. ## How KYC Works KAST is a card for [spending stablecoins](https://www.kast.xyz/blog/learn/where-does-stablecoin-yield-come-from) and USD in the real world. Which means it's subject to all those regulations we just talked about. KAST splits verification into three levels, each unlocking more functionality. ![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/629s37g3/production/6ef7a5fdb8186803cdcf8f4d44828229e338b795-1366x768.png) _KAST Verification_ **Level 1: Account access** After signing up and confirming your email, phone number and setting up a PIN, you can access the app and receive funds. Spending and card creation aren’t available yet. **Level 2: Ready to spend** This is where you upload your ID and take a picture following the on-screen prompts. Then, you need to provide Proof-of-Funds (PoF) Once approved, you can: - Create your [KAST card](https://www.kast.xyz/blog/all-standard-physical-kast-cards-are-now-free---heres-how-to-get-yours) - Send and receive funds - Spend normally This level is enough for most users. **Level 3: Extra features** Do you need a USD bank account or global payouts on KAST? Then you'll verify again with a few more documents. Proof-of-address and an enhanced ID check will unlock extra features, including full compliance for higher limits. ### **Here’s How You Actually Do It** Open the KAST app. Tap the button that says verify your identity. Upload a clear photo of your ID. Make sure it's not blurry, cropped, or expired. If your ID expired last week, find a different one. Take a selfie. Follow the instructions on screen. No funny faces. Just look at the camera like a normal human. ![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/629s37g3/production/3bc67612075699c2f9bdca19236d7f693e11c7bd-1366x768.png) _KAST Verification_ Submit it. Wait a few hours. KAST usually reviews it fast. You'll get a notification when it's done. ### Common KYC Verification Problems **Your ID expired** Get a valid one. Expired IDs don't work, even if they expired last week. **Your photo is blurry** Take it again. Use better lighting. Keep your phone steady. **You cropped your ID** Don't. Take a photo of the whole thing. All four corners need to be visible. **You used a screenshot** That won't work. You need a photo of the physical document. **They rejected your verification** KAST will tell you why. Fix whatever the problem is and try again. ## What Documents Are Required For KYC In some cases, KAST may ask for additional information. ### Proof of Address You may be asked to upload a document from the last 3 months showing your name and address, such as: - A utility bill - A bank statement - A government-issued letter The address must match the one in your KAST account. ### Source of Funds For compliance reasons, KAST may ask where your money comes from. This is standard anti-money laundering practice. Accepted documents include: - Payslips - Bank statements - Other proof of income ### **Is KYC Data Safe on KAST?** You're uploading your ID to an app. It's fair to wonder if that's safe. Yes, it is. KAST encrypts your documents. Only authorized people can see them. They're stored according to data protection laws. They're not shared with random companies. If KAST wasn't doing this properly, they wouldn't be allowed to operate. ### **The Bottom Line** Every card provider does identity verification. Every platform that handles real money does too. KAST is no different. You upload your ID. You take a selfie. You wait. Then you're verified. Is it a bit annoying? Sure. But it's also what keeps someone else from pretending to be you and spending your money. Once you're done with verification, you're in. You can use your card however you want. So open KAST, upload your ID, and get started.