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Brazil is introducing a new safeguard for cryptocurrency transactions that will require regulated institutions to delay certain outbound virtual asset transfers for 24 hours before allowing them to proceed. The measure, adopted by the Central Bank of Brazil, is designed to give financial institutions additional time to identify potentially fraudulent or illicit transactions before digital assets leave their control and are transferred to foreign platforms or privately control

A network of companies based in the United Arab Emirates has been identified as playing a central role in financial structures used to move money connected to Iran, highlighting the continuing challenges posed by sophisticated shadow banking and sanctions-evasion arrangements. The networks have been used to facilitate payments linked to Iranian oil and other commercial activities while attempting to conceal the origin and destination of the funds. The structures identified by

The Cypriot passport has strengthened its position in the latest international passport rankings for 2026, rising one place to 13th position in the Henley Passport Index. Cypriot citizens can now travel to 175 destinations without having to obtain a visa in advance, either through visa-free entry or by obtaining a visa upon arrival. The improvement marks a step forward from 2025, when Cyprus ranked 14th globally. Nevertheless, the country remains one position below its highes

World Liberty Financial is facing increased scrutiny after a $100 million purchase of its governance tokens was linked to a businessman who is the subject of an ongoing money laundering investigation in the United Kingdom. The investment, made through an entity connected to the UAE-based Aqua1 Foundation, has raised questions about the source of the funds and the due diligence applied to investors in the Trump-linked cryptocurrency venture. The investment represents the large

Cryptocurrency exchange HTX has come under renewed scrutiny over changes to its on-chain wallet infrastructure, with blockchain intelligence analysis indicating that the platform has repeatedly rotated wallets across several major networks. The activity has raised concerns among compliance professionals because frequent changes to the addresses used to hold and transfer exchange assets can make it more difficult to identify and monitor the financial flows associated with a la

A former Goldman Sachs investment banker has been convicted in the United States for his role in a bribery and money laundering scheme connected to the development and financing of a major power plant in Ghana. The conviction follows a federal trial in which prosecutors presented evidence that the banker used his position, financial expertise and international connections to facilitate payments to Ghanaian public officials while concealing the movement and purpose of the fund

Singapore authorities have charged two individuals for allegedly laundering proceeds derived from impersonation and romance scams, reinforcing the country's continued efforts to combat the movement of illicit funds through personal bank accounts. The case highlights the increasing focus of law enforcement on individuals who knowingly or recklessly facilitate the transfer of criminal proceeds, even when they are not directly involved in committing the underlying fraud. Accordi

Sri Lanka has taken decisive action against unlicensed online gambling by blocking access to 24 betting and gaming websites, including major international platforms such as Stake, bet365, Betway and 1xBet. The move follows a directive issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), which instructed all telecommunications service providers across the country to immediately restrict access to the identified websites. The enforcement action was annou

Indian authorities are intensifying one of the country's largest real estate money laundering investigations, with Raheja Developers Chairman Navin M. Raheja and Managing Director Nayan N. Raheja at the centre of a probe involving the alleged diversion of thousands of crores of rupees collected from homebuyers. The investigation, led by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has resulted in the attachment of assets worth more than ₹1,600 crore as authorities continue tracing funds

Six individuals have pleaded guilty in the United States for their roles in a sophisticated money laundering conspiracy that channelled more than US$30 million in drug trafficking proceeds through the U.S. financial system before transferring the funds to criminal organisations abroad. The case, prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida, highlights the complex methods used by transnational criminal networks to disguise the origins of illicit drug profits and move them ac

U.S. authorities have charged a senior executive of a UK-registered charity with conspiring to provide material support and financial assistance to Hamas, alleging that the organisation operated as a front to channel money, goods and other resources to the group under the guise of humanitarian aid. The case highlights increasing international efforts to disrupt the misuse of charitable organisations for terrorism financing and the growing cooperation between law enforcement a

Germany's financial regulator, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), has ordered Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (NORD/LB) to address significant shortcomings in its customer data management after identifying breaches of the country's anti-money laundering (AML) legislation. The supervisory action reinforces regulators' growing focus on customer due diligence and data quality as essential components of effective financial crime prevention. According to BaF

The global online gambling industry is experiencing an accelerated wave of regulatory reform, with governments placing greater emphasis on licensing, taxation, financial oversight and consumer protection. According to a new regulatory review by SOFTSWISS, the first half of 2026 has been characterised by significant legal and policy developments across multiple jurisdictions, reinforcing the industry's transition toward more tightly regulated markets. One of the most notable t

Capital One Financial said on Friday that it is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the Trump Organization over the closure of its bank accounts, arguing that the decision was based on an extensive anti-money laundering (AML) review conducted by the bank’s compliance specialists rather than political considerations. The court filing represents the first formal instance in which a bank has connected anti-money laundering concerns to the business operations of U.S. Presiden

The UK Gambling Commission has published its 2026 Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, providing licensed operators with an updated overview of the principal financial crime threats facing the British gambling industry. The revised assessment is intended to help operators strengthen their anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) frameworks by identifying emerging risks, evolving criminal methodologies and areas where additional co

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has rejected Wise's application to establish a national trust bank, citing significant deficiencies in the company's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework, as well as concerns over governance, regulatory expertise and overall readiness to operate as a federally chartered banking institution. The decision represents a major regulatory setback for the global payments company as it seeks

Two separate lawsuits are challenging Washington state’s official description of a ballot initiative that seeks to repeal the state’s new income tax, setting up a legal dispute that could ultimately reach the Washington Supreme Court before voters decide the measure in November. On July 27, the sponsors of Initiative 645 formally contested the wording prepared by state attorneys to describe the measure’s fiscal impact. They argued that the language is misleading and unfairly

The South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) has urged regulators to prevent offshore prediction markets from operating within the country’s regulated gambling industry until legislators create a dedicated legal framework governing these platforms. The association’s position comes after reports revealed that more than R700,000 was wagered on Polymarket over the outcome of Johannesburg’s mayoral race. According to SABA, the platform was not licensed to operate as a gamblin

Police in Bristol have arrested two people as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected operation of an illegal casino, highlighting continued enforcement efforts against unlawful gambling activities and organised criminal enterprises linked to the sector. The investigation was carried out through a joint operation involving local police, the UK Gambling Commission and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). The investigation centred on a property in

Pakistan's government has announced a renewed campaign against tax evasion, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing authorities to identify individuals and businesses operating outside the formal economy and initiate legal proceedings against those found to be avoiding their tax obligations. The move forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen tax collection, modernise the country's revenue system and expand the national tax base. The directive was issued during a hig