Sanctions

Sanctions

Australia Issues New Sanctions Guidance for Gatekeeper Professionals

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/03/2026

New guidance outlines due diligence and reporting obligations for ‘gatekeeper’ professions, with strict liability offences effective from July 2026.

Sanctions

US Charges Three in $2.5bn Scheme to Divert AI Tech to China

By Nithya Subramanian | 24/03/2026

The indictment alleges executives and a broker used a Southeast Asian firm to bypass export controls on high-performance computer servers.

Sanctions

US Treasury Issues Temporary Licence for Iranian Oil Cargoes

By Nithya Subramanian | 23/03/2026

OFAC is allowing sales of Iranian oil to proceed if already at sea, aiming to ease supply pressures while maintaining sanctions restrictions.

Sanctions

EU Study Calls for New Global Rules to Address Organised Crime Groups

By Manesh Samtani | 23/03/2026

European Parliament report urges the FATF to tackle illicit finance from state-linked criminal groups, highlighting gaps in international law.

Market Infrastructure

Geopolitical Rifts Create Asymmetric Risks for Cross-border Banking: BIS

By Manesh Samtani | 23/03/2026

New BIS paper says negative geopolitical events disproportionately hit cross-border credit, while positive events fail to provide a similar boost.

Fintech / Regtech

HKMA Urges Firms to Enhance Sanctions Screening Systems, Adopt AI

By Manesh Samtani | 17/03/2026

Thematic review found systems generally meet expectations. HKMA has highlighted good practices in governance, testing, and technology.

Sanctions

US Eases Russian Oil Sanctions for 30 Days to Calm Markets

By Nithya Subramanian | 16/03/2026

OFAC issues a temporary general licence to release Russian oil stranded at sea, a move aimed at market stability that has been criticised by Ukraine and European partners.

Sanctions

US Sanctions North Korea IT Worker Network in Vietnam and Laos

By Manesh Samtani | 13/03/2026

The action targets facilitators using cryptocurrency to launder funds, heightening secondary sanctions and due diligence risks for financial institutions in Southeast Asia.

AML / KYC

US Treasury Recognises Legitimate Use of Crypto Mixers, Seeks New Powers

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

A key report signals a nuanced US stance on privacy tools while proposing a "hold law" to freeze suspicious digital assets.