If I remember correctly, in the US if you make a money transaction, such as through Western Union, or bank, $3,000+, within the same day, or smaller amounts during consecutive days, the institution must collect your ID information and Social Security and report it to the government. I forget which entity of the government.
Does that mean that if one participates in an ICO and puts in over $3,000, that gets reported to the government? Or if you move $3,000 out of an exchange, that gets reported?
KYC in exchanges are use for security and verification purposes when you are withdrawing large amount of money. If you lose your password or any means of security it is easier to retrieve if you can provide info if you already done with the KYC process. I dont do KYC when joining ICO because chances of ICO to be successful is low, i dont want to give it to a project that has the possibility to run with my money and identity.