Payment & AML/KYC

Payment

Alderton & Grey accepts payment primarily by bank transfer. If a purchaser wishes to pay in cryptocurrency and we agree to accept that method, we will send the purchaser the appropriate cryptocurrency wallet address and transaction-specific payment instructions after the purchase and required compliance checks have been confirmed. Payment instructions will be supplied only on an official Alderton & Grey invoice or through another verified communication channel.

Clients should independently verify payment instructions before transferring substantial funds. Alderton & Grey will never ask a client to disclose a cryptocurrency private key, seed phrase or wallet recovery phrase.

Cryptocurrency payments

Where cryptocurrency payment is agreed:

• the permitted cryptocurrency and destination wallet will be confirmed in writing;
• the amount payable will be determined by reference to an agreed sterling, euro or other fiat value;
• the exchange-rate methodology and any permitted payment window will be specified;
• network and transaction charges are normally the buyer's responsibility;
• blockchain transactions may be irreversible once confirmed;
• overpayments or refunds, where legally or contractually due, may be made in fiat currency or another agreed manner rather than by reversal of the original blockchain transfer; and
• we may refuse or return a proposed cryptocurrency payment if regulatory, sanctions, source-of-funds or blockchain-screening concerns arise.

Important: blockchain irreversibility does not affect statutory refund or cancellation rights that may apply to a buyer.

Anti-money-laundering and identity checks

Alderton & Grey is committed to preventing money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, sanctions evasion and other financial crime. Depending on the nature, value and circumstances of a transaction, we may require information or documentation including photographic identification, proof of address, corporate ownership details, beneficial-owner information, source-of-funds information, source-of-wealth information where appropriate, details of persons acting for a buyer, bank-account ownership information and cryptocurrency wallet information.

Screening and transaction decisions

We may carry out identity, sanctions, politically exposed person, adverse-media or blockchain screening using specialist third-party services. We reserve the right to delay, decline or terminate a transaction where required by law or where satisfactory due diligence cannot be completed. Where prohibited by law, we may be unable to explain the reason for a particular compliance decision.

High-value art transactions

Certain transactions involving works of art may fall within the United Kingdom's regulated anti-money-laundering regime for art market participants. Where applicable, Alderton & Grey will conduct the customer due diligence and record-keeping required by law before completing the transaction.