AML / KYC

AML / KYC

France Maintains Public Access to Beneficial Owners Register

By Editors | 25/01/2023

The French government plans to define the future methods of access “soon”, taking into account the November decision by the CJEU.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Action Against Crypto Firm Bitzlato Yields Seizures, More Arrests

By Editors | 25/01/2023

Authorities seized EUR 18 million in crypto wallets and froze EUR 50 million in accounts at other crypto exchanges, Europol says.

AML / KYC

US SEC Fines Crypto Firm Nexo for Unregistered Securities Offering

By Manesh Samtani | 20/01/2023

Nexo settled charges from US regulators for $45mn. The company was separately raided by Bulgarian authorities last week.

AML / KYC

German Prosecutors Search Norton Rose Offices in Cum-Ex Probe

By Editors | 20/01/2023

A former staff member of Norton Rose Fulbright is said to be a suspect in the tax fraud probe, which dates back more than a decade.

AML / KYC

HKMA Consults on Changes to AML/CFT Guideline for Banks

By Manesh Samtani | 19/01/2023

Banks must perform CDD on customers transferring virtual assets. Digital ID system iAM Smart can be used for identity verification.

AML / KYC

Authorities Dismantle Russia-Linked Crypto Firm Bitzlato

By Manesh Samtani | 18/01/2023

Bitzlato facilitated $700mn in crypto transfers for Hydra users and received more than $15mn in ransomware proceeds.

AML / KYC

HK Customs “Smashes” Syndicate That Laundered HK$6b

By Editors | 18/01/2023

A money laundering operation centre was being run from an apartment at a large private housing estate. The syndicate was “successfully smashed”.

AML / KYC

UK Linked ‘Golden Visas’ to Crime Years Ago

By Editors | 18/01/2023

A review commissioned in 2018 and “kept secret for years” found a disproportionate number of golden visa applicants were from countries identified as high risk.

Crypto / Digital Assets

BitConnect Victims Receive $17mn Restitution from Crypto Fraud

By Editors | 16/01/2023

BitConnect was an online crypto lending platform that collapsed in 2018, causing investor losses estimated at over USD 2.4 billion.