AML Check Before a P2P Crypto Transaction: Step-by-Step Guide

Why P2P trades are higher risk than exchange purchases

When you buy Bitcoin through a regulated exchange, the exchange has already done KYC on the seller and screens their deposit wallets. You get the funds from the exchange's pool, not directly from a random stranger.

P2P is different. You are transacting directly with another person's wallet. The platform did KYC on their account, but that tells you nothing about where they sourced their Bitcoin. They may have bought it from an unregulated OTC desk. They may have received it from someone who used a mixer. They may have been paid by a darknet buyer who never registered with any exchange.

The funds land in your wallet carrying the full history of everyone who previously held them.

The 5-step process (under 2 minutes total)

1. Ask for the sending wallet address before confirming

   Before you confirm the trade and release your payment, message the counterparty: "Could you share the wallet address you'll be sending from? I run a quick AML check as standard practice." Most legitimate traders share this immediately. It is a normal compliance request.

2. Open @scorechain_amlbot in Telegram

   Search for @scorechain_amlbot in Telegram. Tap Start if you haven't used it before. The bot requires no registration, no email, and no KYC. It is free for the basic check.

3. Paste the wallet address

   Copy the counterparty's wallet address and paste it directly into the chat. The bot automatically identifies the network: Bitcoin, Ethereum, TRON, Solana, BNB Chain, or 10 other supported chains.

4. Read the risk score in 8 seconds

   The result comes back in approximately 8 seconds. You get: a 0-100 risk score, a breakdown by risk category (sanctions, darknet, mixer, ransomware, scam, exchange flags), and a verdict. See score thresholds below.

5. Screenshot and decide

   Take a screenshot of the result before making your decision. This is your due-diligence record. If your exchange ever asks about this incoming transaction, the screenshot with timestamp shows you checked before accepting.

What the score means for your decision

0 to 29 — Clean
Proceed with the trade. Save the screenshot as a record. No further action needed.

30 to 59 — Caution
Indirect exposure detected. For trades under $500, generally acceptable with documentation. For larger amounts, ask the counterparty where they sourced the funds. If they provide a reasonable explanation (e.g., "I bought it from Binance three months ago"), proceed with the screenshot and their explanation on record.

60 to 79 — High Risk
Decline the trade or require the counterparty to re-source funds from a clean address. At this score, your exchange's automated system is likely to flag the incoming transaction.

80 and above — Critical
Decline immediately. Do not proceed under any circumstances. If you are in a regulated context (operating as a business), consider filing a suspicious transaction report.

What to say if the score is high

You do not owe anyone an explanation for declining a trade. The simplest approach: "Sorry, I ran a compliance check and the wallet address shows flags I'm not comfortable with. I'll need to pass on this one."

Most P2P platforms let you cancel without penalty before the payment window closes. Use that window to run the check. Do not confirm the trade first and check after.

What happens when you don't check

A freelancer in the Netherlands accepted 1,500 USDT via P2P in February 2026. The funds came from a wallet with indirect Hydra exposure at score 71. Three weeks later, when they tried to withdraw from their exchange account, the withdrawal was blocked pending review. The investigation took 34 days. The USDT was eventually released, but only after providing the transaction chat history, source-of-funds documentation, and two rounds of compliance forms.

An 8-second check upfront would have prevented all of it.