Europe

AML / KYC

UK Fast-Tracks Property Ownership Transparency Bill

By Manesh Samtani | 01/03/2022

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill first promised in 2016 has been introduced in Parliament and will be fast-tracked through the legislature.

ESG / Sustainability

UK, Singapore Bolster Cooperation on Data Flows, Financial Services

By Editors | 01/03/2022

The UKSDEA promotes free flows of data between the UK and Singapore including in financial services. Both countries will work towards recognising each other’s digital identity systems.

AML / KYC

Western Leaders Pledge to Remove Russian Banks from SWIFT

By Manesh Samtani | 28/02/2022

Western leaders have committed to removing “selected Russian banks” from the SWIFT financial messaging system to harm their ability to operate globally.

AML / KYC

EC Adopts Proposal on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

By Manesh Samtani | 28/02/2022

The proposal requires companies, including certain non-EU companies, to address negative human rights and environmental impacts in their supply chains.

AML / KYC

Russia Facing Comprehensive Sanctions Over Ukraine Invasion

By Manesh Samtani | 25/02/2022

The US is targeting all ten of Russia’s largest financial institutions. Russian access to most major markets has been restricted.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Russia Considers Framework for Regulating Cryptocurrencies

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/02/2022

The draft proposes requirements for VASPs relating to corporate governance, tax reporting, data storage, internal controls, risk management, client identification/KYC and segregation of assets.

AML / KYC

US, EU, UK, Japan Announce Sanctions Against Russia

By Manesh Samtani | 22/02/2022

Sanctions are being imposed against Russian state-owned banks, officials, oligarchs, and new debt issued by the central bank, sovereign wealth fund or government.

AML / KYC

Suisse Secrets: Data Leak Reveals Criminals Clients at Swiss Bank

By Manesh Samtani | 21/02/2022

The data unearthed evidence that Credit Suisse accounts were used by clients involved in torture, drug trafficking, money laundering, corruption and other serious crimes.

Enforcement

UK HMRC Seizes Three NFTs in Fraud Investigation

By Editors | 20/02/2022

Three people were arrested on suspicion of attempting to defraud HMRC using 250 fake companies. This is the first time a UK agency has seized NFTs.