Juniper Research forecasts that global spending on Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) systems by non-financial sectors will reach $22.5 billion by 2030, an increase from $10.9 billion in 2026.
This growth rate of over 105% indicates a significant shift in priorities as organisations increasingly recognise the necessity of stringent verification processes.
Shane O'Sullivan, research analyst at Juniper Research, noted, “While financial services still hold the largest share of KYC/KYB spending, non-financial sectors are adopting verification methods at a much faster pace. This surge is fuelled by escalating identity fraud and regulatory pressures, pushing verification towards more proactive risk management strategies.”
This trend is particularly relevant for COOs in Asia, as the region experiences a vibrant expansion in eCommerce and digital services. In fact, eCommerce is projected to lead the growth in KYC/KYB spending, expected to increase by over 150% globally between 2026 and 2030.
As regulations tighten, investments are likely to shift from initial seller verifications to continuous monitoring and implementing Know Your Agent (KYA) controls, essential for identifying legitimate users in real-time.
A key aspect of this forward movement is the integration of AI-powered features in KYC processes. AI agents are becoming vital tools in the detection and prevention of fraud, which is increasingly sophisticated due to automated techniques like credential testing and account takeovers.
“As platforms become more complex and scale beyond human oversight, agentic AI layers are crucial for facilitating continuous monitoring across expansive agent ecosystems,” O'Sullivan added.
For COOs and business leaders in Asia, this emphasises the urgency to adapt compliance protocols and invest in advanced KYC and KYB systems. Those who fail to evolve risk falling behind in both regulatory compliance and ability to fend off coordinated fraudulent activities.
