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The UK Government is preparing to strengthen its powers to tackle businesses and premises suspected of being connected to organised crime, money laundering and other forms of illicit activity on the country's high streets. The proposed measures would significantly extend the period for which certain premises can remain closed while investigations are carried out and would give local authorities greater control over the expansion of gambling venues. At the centre of the propos

Ireland's financial sector is facing a growing money laundering threat, with new industry research indicating that illicit financial activity has increased significantly over the past two years and that criminal networks are increasingly turning to digital channels to move and conceal their proceeds. The findings highlight the growing challenge for financial institutions as criminals move away from traditional cash-based methods and increasingly exploit digital payments, fint

A federal jury has convicted a Georgia man for his role in laundering more than $2.7 million obtained through romance scams and other online fraud schemes that targeted victims, including elderly individuals who were persuaded to hand over substantial portions of their savings. The case demonstrates how online fraud networks can rely on financial intermediaries, business accounts and international transfers to convert stolen funds into proceeds that are more difficult to trac

Ireland is introducing new anti-money laundering requirements aimed at strengthening controls within the gambling industry and preventing criminal organisations and terrorist groups from using gambling businesses to disguise and legitimise illicit funds. The measures form part of a broader effort to strengthen Ireland's financial crime framework and bring greater scrutiny to transactions and customers in a sector considered vulnerable to money laundering risks. The new rules

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