Verifying Your Identity
Learn about CoinDuffle's KYC identity verification process powered by Sumsub — why it's required and what to expect.
Verifying Your Identity
CoinDuffle uses Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification to protect both buyers and sellers on the platform. Verification is powered by Sumsub, a trusted, industry-leading identity verification provider used by major financial institutions.
Why Is Verification Required?
Buying and selling precious metals and collectibles involves real financial transactions, often at significant dollar amounts. Identity verification helps us:
- Prevent fraud — Confirming your identity protects you from unauthorized purchases and protects sellers from fraudulent buyers.
- Comply with regulations — US financial regulations require identity verification for certain transaction types and thresholds.
- Build trust — A verified community means every participant has been vetted, creating a safer marketplace for everyone.
- Enable the buyback program — If you want to sell items back to CoinDuffle, verification is required before we can issue payouts.
When Is Verification Required?
You can browse CoinDuffle and add items to your wishlist without verification. However, you'll be asked to verify your identity when you:
- Place an order above certain dollar thresholds
- Participate in the buyback program (selling to CoinDuffle)
- Request a payout for any reason
What You'll Need
Before starting the verification process, have the following ready:
- A government-issued photo ID — This can be a US passport, driver's license, or state-issued ID card. The document must be valid (not expired).
- A device with a camera — You'll need to take a photo of your ID and a selfie. A smartphone usually works best, but a laptop with a webcam will also work.
- Good lighting — Make sure you're in a well-lit area so your photos come out clear and readable.
How the Verification Process Works
- Navigate to the verification page — Go to Account → Verification or follow the prompt that appears when verification is required.
- Start the Sumsub flow — You'll see an embedded Sumsub widget right on the page. Click Start Verification to begin.
- Select your document type — Choose whether you're using a US passport, driver's license, or state-issued ID card.
- Upload or photograph your ID — Take a clear photo of the front (and back, if applicable) of your document. Make sure all text is legible and the entire document is visible.
- Take a selfie — The system will ask you to take a live selfie to confirm the person in the ID is you. Follow the on-screen instructions — you may be asked to look in different directions or blink.
- Wait for review — Most verifications are processed automatically within a few minutes. In some cases, a manual review may take up to 24 hours.
- Receive confirmation — Once approved, you'll see a confirmation on your account page and can proceed with your purchase or buyback.
Verification Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Not Started | You haven't begun the verification process yet. |
| In Progress | Your documents have been submitted and are being reviewed. |
| Verified | Your identity has been confirmed. You have full access to all features. |
| Rejected | Your verification was not approved. See below for next steps. |
What If My Verification Is Rejected?
Verifications can be rejected for several reasons:
- The ID photo was blurry, cut off, or unreadable
- The selfie didn't match the photo on the ID
- The document was expired
- The document type wasn't accepted
If your verification is rejected, you'll receive a notification explaining the reason. You can re-submit with corrected documents by going back to Account → Verification and starting the process again.
Privacy and Your Documents
Your identity documents are handled securely by Sumsub and are not stored on CoinDuffle's servers. Sumsub is SOC 2 Type II certified and complies with applicable data protection regulations. Your documents are encrypted in transit and at rest, and are only used for the purpose of verifying your identity.
For more details on how your data is handled, see our Privacy & Data page.