International

Big Picture

FBI Identifies Hong Kong as Top Destination for Fraudulent Wire Transfers

By Manesh Samtani | 27/04/2025

Other top international destinations for fraudulent wire transactions in 2024 included Vietnam, Philippines, India and China.

Crypto / Digital Assets

BIS Publishes Findings from DLT Project to Enhance FX Settlements

By Manesh Samtani | 25/04/2025

Project Meridian FX demonstrated the technical feasibility of using “synchronisation operators” to modernise FX settlements, improve interoperability, and increase efficiency.

AML / KYC

Myanmar’s Scam Factories: A Descent Into the Heart of Financial Darkness

By Nathan Lynch | 25/04/2025

Industrial-scale scam operations run by criminal syndicates in Myanmar present a daunting challenge to banks and law enforcement, writes Nathan Lynch.

Sanctions

China, Russia Are Using a New Payments Netting System to Trade Freely

By Manesh Samtani | 25/04/2025

The netting system, set up by sanctioned banks, has become the cheapest way for settling trade between Russia with China

Crypto / Digital Assets

Nearly a Third of Bybit’s Stolen Crypto is Now ‘Untraceable’

By Thisanka Siripala | 24/04/2025

Only 3.84% of the USD 1.4 billion worth of cryptocurrency stolen from Bybit in February has been frozen.

AML / KYC

GLEIF Announces New Partnership to Boost Visibility of Chinese Firms

By Mark Johnston | 24/04/2025

The initiative involves mapping the LEI to data from the Chinese business information platform known as Qichacha.

Crypto / Digital Assets

BIS Publishes Findings from Project to Tokenise MDB Promissory Notes

By Manesh Samtani | 24/04/2025

Project Promissa developed a DLT platform for tokenised promissory notes, enabling more efficient management of the notes throughout their lifecycle.

Market Infrastructure

FSB to ‘Intensify Engagement’ on Cross-border Payments

By Manesh Samtani | 24/04/2025

Klaas Knot’s final letter to the G20 ministers says progress to enhance cross-border payments hasn’t yet led to “material improvements” for end-users.

AML / KYC

GCFFC Developing Global Model to Assist in Prioritising Financial Crime Types

By Manesh Samtani | 23/04/2025

The model will provide authorities with a common basis to prioritise financial crimes based on pre-set criteria, ensuring they can maximise the use of limited resources.