The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has issued an official update involving three regulated entities, detailing the withdrawal of a Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF) licence and the initiation of liquidation procedures for two separate investment fund compartments. In its announcement, CySEC confirmed that on October 13, 2025, it decided to withdraw the CIF authorisation of BrightPool Ltd, which held authorisation number 378/19. The decision followed the company’

UBS has intensified its scrutiny of clients across Asia following its entanglement in Singapore’s largest money laundering case, a sprawling scandal involving more than S$3 billion (approximately US$2.2 billion) in seized assets linked to transnational criminal operations. The Swiss banking giant—long regarded as a bastion of private banking discretion—was among several global financial institutions fined for anti-money laundering (AML) shortcomings after Singaporean authorit

The United Kingdom has unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting 90 entities in a move aimed at cutting off revenue streams that continue to fund Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Announced on 15 October, the measures were introduced jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, with officials stating that the sanctions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding.” A key element of the new sanctions package is

China’s economic growth decelerated in the three months leading up to the end of September, as trade tensions with the United States once again flared up. Official figures released on Monday show that the world’s second-largest economy expanded by 4.8% compared to the same period in 2024 — marking its weakest pace in a year. The slowdown comes in the wake of Beijing’s decision to impose sweeping controls on its exports of rare earths, minerals critical to global electronics p

Peru has introduced a comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework governing online gambling and sports betting platforms, marking a significant evolution in the country’s approach to digital wagering oversight. Building upon prior legislation that established the legality of remote gaming and wagering, the new regime enforces strict mandates to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Under these rules, online gambling and sports-betting operators are now form

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has dismissed the Netherlands’ appeal in the long-running case concerning its state-controlled lottery monopolies, confirming that the European Commission (EC) must open an investigation into the country’s licensing process. The decision marks the latest development in a legal dispute that dates back to 2016, centering on allegations that the Netherlands unfairly renewed monopoly lottery licences without conducting an open tender. In its la

Serbia’s Ministry of Finance has drawn the attention of compliance professionals across Europe as it moves forward with plans to develop a nationwide digital asset surveillance capability. The initiative centers on a central monitoring system designed to absorb public blockchain data, enrich it with intelligence on entities, and cross-reference it with reports from regulated institutions. This integrated approach could redefine how suspicious financial activity is detected an

The Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervisory Authority (CGCS) has confirmed that it is actively examining the possibility of regulating and licensing online casinos in the country, a topic that has been under consideration for some time. In a statement issued today, the CGCS highlighted that it is reviewing international regulatory practices as well as assessing whether the exclusivity granted by existing legislation and the agreement for the operation of the Integrated Casino Re

A federal jury in New York has issued a verdict of nearly $21 million against France’s largest bank, BNP Paribas S.A., for providing the Sudanese government access to the U.S. financial system while it carried out atrocities two decades ago. The plaintiffs, a woman and two men who are U.S. citizens and were displaced from Sudan, losing their homes and property, were awarded amounts ranging between $6.7 million and $7.3 million each following about four hours of jury deliberat

Denmark’s gambling regulator, Spillemyndigheden, has released its gaming revenue report for August 2025, revealing a significant year-on-year increase across multiple verticals. Total gaming revenue reached KR 714 million ($111.1 million), marking a 25.1% rise compared to the same month last year. Sports betting was a standout performer, showing an impressive 53.4% year-on-year increase to KR 225 million. Online casino earnings also followed an upward trend, climbing 20.7% to

Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has spoken out in defence of the government’s controversial proposal to raise taxes on bets, banks, and billionaires, calling the initiative a fair and essential measure to promote fiscal responsibility and social equity. Addressing critics of the plan, Haddad dismissed claims that the proposed tax increases are unjust. “The taxation of BBBs, billionaires, banks and bets, is only unfair in the minds of those who are uninformed,” he sa

A new study by international gaming consultancy Yield Sec has revealed that unlicensed gambling operators now control a majority share of Brazil’s online betting market, posing a growing threat to both revenue and sports integrity. According to the report, illegal platforms account for 51% of total market activity, generating an estimated BRL 18.1 billion ($3.17 billion), while licensed operators hold 49%, with around BRL 17.4 billion in revenue. The findings highlight a conc

The global anti-money laundering community has been shaken by one of the most consequential enforcement actions of 2025. The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has officially named the Cambodia-based Huione Group a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act. The designation effectively severs the group’s ties with the U.S. financial system, setting a new precedent in tackling cryptocurrency-enable

U.K. fintech giant Revolut has hit a new obstacle in its long-running effort to secure a full banking license in its home market, with the Bank of England reportedly delaying approval due to ongoing concerns about the company’s risk management capabilities amid rapid international expansion. The central bank has expressed doubts about whether Revolut can maintain robust risk management controls as it continues its aggressive global growth. Regulators are now insisting that th

Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening bilateral economic relations and advancing investment cooperation during a high-level meeting in Dubai on Wednesday. The discussions took place between Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, George Papanastasiou, and the UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, underscoring both nations’ intent to strengthen ties across trade, energy, and innovation. According to the Cyprus Ministry of En

Reports of a crisis within Curacao’s gambling regulation framework have been overstated, according to the country’s gaming authority, which insists it remains “fully operational” despite a wave of online speculation following a recent administrative reshuffle. Amid social media claims of “regulatory chaos” and a “power grab” after the resignation of the Supervisory Board of the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA), the regulator has clarified that all licensing, compliance, and sup

A powerful bipartisan committee in the United States Congress has announced that it has opened an investigation into Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network over allegations that the service has been used to provide internet access to scam centres operating in Myanmar, which have been accused of swindling billions of dollars from victims around the world. The development follows revelations that a growing number of Starlink dishes began appearing on the rooftops of scam compou

The United States and the United Kingdom have jointly announced extensive sanctions targeting a powerful multinational crime network operating across Southeast Asia, accused of running a vast chain of “scam centres” in Cambodia, Myanmar, and neighbouring countries. The network allegedly trafficked workers and forced them to defraud victims worldwide through fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. In what officials described as the largest-ever enforcement action of its kind i

Abu Dhabi has marked a major advancement in its fight against financial crime by obtaining ISO 37001:2016 certification for its Anti-Bribery, Anti-Corruption, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Management System. The certification, awarded to the Public Funds Prosecution under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, represents more than a symbolic milestone—it formalizes a technical, auditable, and performance-based system that may redefine AML governance standards across the Middle

Rhode Island regulators are weighing whether to dismantle International Game Technology’s monopoly over online sports betting, as several major operators signal they are ready to enter the market. The Rhode Island Department of Revenue’s Lottery Division, which oversees the state’s gambling operations, has been evaluating the possibility of opening the digital sportsbook market to competition following years of exclusive control by IGT through its Sportsbook RI platform. Earl