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Castellum AI’s 2025 Sanctions Year In Review reveals that regulators around the world dramatically intensified their attention on digital currencies and Iranian-linked networks over the past year. Banks and other financial institutions found themselves navigating an increasingly intricate compliance environment marked by rapidly shifting enforcement priorities and widening differences between major geopolitical powers. During the period under review, the United States Office

On the 9th of January, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has informed four money transfer companies that they are under federal investigation for alleged fraud, part of a broader crackdown on abuses of social benefits in Minnesota, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Friday. Speaking at a virtual news conference, Bessent also revealed that several banks in the state involved in money transfer operations are being audited by th

The unsealing of a federal indictment in Cincinnati has brought to light an enormous financial scheme designed to funnel the profits of illegal narcotics sales across international borders. Yan Lin, a 41-year-old California resident, has appeared in court to answer charges alleging that he laundered tens of millions of dollars for Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations. Prosecutors say that from early 2022 through late 2024, Lin ran a highly sophisticated operation that

Net new loans in Cyprus declined in November 2025, according to a report released this week by the Central Bank of Cyprus. Specifically, net new loans fell to €256.3 million from total new loans of €565.2 million, compared with €429.4 million from total new loans of €624.9 million in October 2025. The Central Bank’s report also included statistical data on average interest rates applied by monetary financial institutions in Cyprus on deposits and loans to euro area residents

Opap shareholders have approved the company’s split and cross-border transformation plan in January 2026, clearing the path for the merger between Allwyn and Opap during the group’s 13th extraordinary general meeting, which saw participation from shareholders representing 80.12 per cent of the company’s paid-up share capital. All agenda items presented at the meeting were approved, with the required majorities secured, according to information provided to shareholders during

Chen Zhi, founder and chairman of Prince Group, has been arrested in Cambodia and repatriated to China for investigation, according to The Cambodia China Times, a Chinese media outlet operating in Cambodia. The detention represents a major development in a case that has attracted international attention over allegations of large-scale cross-border fraud and money laundering. Cambodian media reports indicated that Chen was taken into custody in Cambodia and transferred to Chin

Indian authorities have successfully brought 49 virtual digital asset service providers into the country’s formal financial reporting system during the ongoing fiscal year, marking a decisive step in tightening oversight of the cryptocurrency sector. This development follows an intensive compliance drive led by the Financial Intelligence Unit, aimed at ensuring that all crypto-related platforms function within the framework of existing transparency and anti–money laundering l

The Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier has imposed an administrative fine of €185,000 on Rakuten Europe Bank S.A. after identifying serious shortcomings in the institution’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing controls. The decision was formally adopted on May 19, 2025, and made public on the regulator’s website in early 2026. The sanction corresponds to approximately one percent of the bank’s annual turnover as reported at the end of the 2022 f

The Colombian government has revamped its approach to taxing online gambling, moving the 19% value-added tax from player deposits to gross gaming revenue (GGR). The new policy, which came into effect on January 1, focuses on the actual revenue generated by operators rather than taxing all funds deposited by players. The deposit-based 19% VAT was initially introduced in February 2025 as a temporary measure amid internal unrest. Throughout 2025, this tax structure faced widespr

Inflation in the eurozone returned to the European Central Bank’s 2% target in December, offering reassurance to policymakers as price pressures continue to ease. Eurozone inflation fell to 2% in December, meeting the ECB’s price stability goal and reinforcing indications that the sharp surge in prices seen over recent years is gradually fading. Flash estimates published by Eurostat on Wednesday showed that the annual rate of consumer price growth slowed from 2.1% in November

Prosecutors in Taipei have concluded one of the most sweeping financial crime indictments in recent regional history, charging thirty-five people for their roles in an elaborate underground banking and gambling operation that funneled more than 30.6 billion New Taiwan dollars, roughly equivalent to $970 million USD, through sophisticated digital channels. At the center of the case is a man who publicly appeared to be running a well-known Hong Kong–style restaurant while cover

IKEA has vowed to fight back against an Australian Taxation Office audit claiming the Swedish furniture company owes approximately A$171 million ($115 million) in unpaid taxes, saying it “strongly disagrees with its position.” The ATO believes that IKEA has shifted money offshore through disputed transfer pricing and royalty arrangements. IKEA’s Australian business is reportedly structured in a way that reduces taxable income in Australia by paying franchise fees, licence fee

Wilfredo Aquinon, formerly an assistant store manager at TD Bank, has admitted to his involvement in a large-scale financial conspiracy that enabled a criminal organization to funnel approximately $474 million through a major U.S. banking institution. Aquinon pleaded guilty to charges stemming from both his failure to uphold professional banking standards and his direct participation in concealing the criminal origins of the funds. Under the terms of his plea, he now faces a

At a time of intense international turbulence and widespread uncertainty, Cyprus has demonstrated that it can maintain stability and safeguard its growth prospects, according to Yannis Misirlis, chairman of the Cyprus Property Developers Association. He underlined that the country has shown notable resilience after enduring successive years of pressure, stressing that despite ongoing challenges, the real estate development sector continues to act as a key engine of the nation

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the European Union’s financial markets regulator and supervisory authority, has announced the launch of the first selection procedure for a Consolidated Tape Provider covering over-the-counter derivatives, a move designed to strengthen transparency and efficiency across European financial markets. The initiative marks a significant step in the implementation of the EU’s post-trade transparency framework and is intended to

Africa faces a mounting crisis of illicit financial flows, with many countries on the continent acting as sources, transit hubs, or destinations for these illegal movements of capital. According to the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC), such flows undermine economic stability, fuel corruption, and sustain organised crime, generating harms that extend far beyond national borders. The report notes that these illicit flows often penetrate internati

Sri Lanka has moved swiftly to tighten its regulatory and fiscal approach to casino gaming, introducing higher costs for both players and operators effective from the start of 2026. From January 1, the government doubled the entry fee for Sri Lankan citizens at casinos from US$50 to US$100. In addition, the betting and gaming gross collection levy was raised from 15% to 18%, according to a notice issued by the Inland Revenue Department. These changes apply to all licensed bet

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), together with its enforcement committee, has concluded a sanction procedure against M Capital Partners, imposing a total fine of 150,000 euros on the portfolio management company and several of its executives. The decision, rendered on December 31, 2025, targets a series of serious regulatory breaches, notably the provision of investment services without proper authorization and long-standing failures in the firm’s anti-money launder

French law enforcement authorities have dismantled a large-scale criminal organization accused of diverting nearly 15 million euros from the national vocational training fund system, uncovering an elaborate scheme that operated over a two-year period. The investigation resulted in the indictment of seven individuals in the Loire and Alpes-Maritimes regions on charges of organized fraud and money laundering. During coordinated searches, investigators seized 50,000 euros in cas

The Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) confirmed on January 5, 2026, that the United Arab Emirates has formally assumed the presidency of the organization for the 2026 term. Represented by Hamid Saif AlZaabi, the UAE steps into the leadership role at a decisive moment, as the region prepares for the third cycle of mutual evaluations and the full application of the Financial Action Task Force’s fifth round methodology. This transition signals a

Japan’s governing coalition has once again confirmed its intention to exempt overseas casino patrons from paying taxes on gambling winnings, reinforcing a long-standing policy designed to boost inbound tourism and attract international investment.   The commitment was reiterated in December during fiscal policy discussions between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Innovation Party, reviving measures that were first put forward several years ago.   The exemption for non-res