Anti Money Laundering News (22 Jun – 28 Jun 2026)
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Global AML News Weekly Digest. Here are the top stories making headlines around the world
Ireland Launches 2026–2027 AML/CFT Action Plan: 30 Measures to Strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime Compliance
Ireland’s Department of Finance has published its third National Risk Assessment (NRA) alongside a comprehensive 2026–2027 AML/CFT Action Plan aimed at strengthening the country’s framework for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. The plan outlines 30 priority actions focused on improving supervisory coordination, enhancing beneficial ownership transparency, strengthening public-private information sharing, modernising legislation, and addressing emerging risks such as virtual assets and complex corporate structures. The initiative also reinforces Ireland’s commitment to aligning with evolving FATF standards and preparing for the implementation of the EU AML Package. Financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), and regulated entities are expected to enhance risk assessments, governance, and customer due diligence processes in response to the updated national priorities. The Action Plan reflects Ireland’s strategic approach to building a more resilient financial crime compliance ecosystem through coordinated policy, supervision, and enforcement.
UAE Fines Foreign Bank US$5.4 Million for AML Failures, Reinforcing Post-Grey List Financial Crime Enforcement
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has imposed a US$5.4 million penalty on a foreign bank for significant anti-money laundering (AML) compliance failures, marking one of the country’s largest enforcement actions since its removal from the FATF grey list in 2024. The fine is the first major AML penalty issued under the UAE’s strengthened legal framework introduced last year to enhance financial crime supervision and align with international standards. The enforcement action underscores the UAE’s commitment to maintaining robust AML controls following its grey list exit and signals increased regulatory scrutiny of financial institutions operating in the country. Banks are expected to strengthen customer due diligence (CDD), transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, governance, and internal compliance programmes to meet evolving regulatory expectations. The case serves as a reminder that regulators continue to prioritise effective AML frameworks and accountability to safeguard the integrity of the UAE’s financial system.
CACEIS UK Avoids FCA Fine After £31.7 Million Investor Payment Over AML and Due Diligence Failures
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has publicly censured CACEIS UK for significant anti-money laundering and client due diligence failures linked to the collapse of WealthTek. Instead of imposing a financial penalty, the regulator accepted the firm’s voluntary £31.7 million payment to compensate affected investors. The FCA found that CACEIS failed to respond to warning signs indicating WealthTek lacked authorisation to hold certain client assets and did not adequately monitor accounts despite internal alerts. Regulators concluded that these deficiencies exposed customers to serious financial crime risks. The voluntary compensation, combined with the firm’s cooperation during the investigation, led the FCA to forgo a fine that could have exceeded £23 million. The case reinforces the importance of effective customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, escalation procedures, and governance controls for custodians and financial institutions managing client assets.
South Korea Fines Bithumb for Illegal Overseas Data Transfers, Strengthening Crypto Compliance and Data Privacy Enforcement
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has fined cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb 210 million won (approximately US$135,700) for violating regulations governing the overseas transfer of users’ personal information. The investigation found that between September and November 2025, Bithumb transferred customer data while sharing order books with a foreign cryptocurrency exchange. Although users were informed that their information would be transferred to Stellar Exchange, the data was instead sent to bingx.com, operated by a different exchange. The regulator also determined that Bithumb failed to obtain valid user consent before transferring personal information to 13 overseas cryptocurrency exchanges during digital asset transfers. Alongside the monetary penalty, the PIPC ordered corrective measures to address the compliance failures. The enforcement action underscores South Korea’s increasingly stringent oversight of crypto exchanges, reinforcing the importance of transparent cross-border data transfers, customer consent, and robust data governance within digital asset compliance frameworks.
US Crypto Bill Faces AML Criticism as Law Enforcement Warns of Money Laundering Risks
A proposed US cryptocurrency bill has drawn criticism from law enforcement agencies and banking groups, who argue that it could weaken anti-money laundering safeguards across the digital asset ecosystem. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), critics warn that the legislation may exempt certain crypto participants from Bank Secrecy Act obligations, creating regulatory gaps that criminals could exploit for money laundering and illicit finance. Industry supporters contend the bill would provide long-awaited regulatory clarity and encourage innovation, while opponents believe it could undermine financial transparency and enforcement capabilities. The debate reflects the broader challenge of balancing innovation with effective AML supervision as digital assets become increasingly integrated into mainstream finance. For compliance teams, the proposed legislation highlights the importance of maintaining robust customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious activity reporting regardless of future regulatory changes.
Guatemala’s New Anti-Money Laundering Law Increases Compliance Pressure on Energy and Infrastructure Projects
Guatemala’s newly approved anti-money laundering legislation is expected to increase compliance obligations for energy developers, particularly companies involved in electricity generation and infrastructure projects. The updated legal framework aligns the country’s AML regime more closely with FATF recommendations while expanding due diligence, transparency, and reporting expectations across both the public and private sectors. Industry stakeholders have raised concerns that the new requirements, combined with ongoing disputes involving municipal approvals, could add regulatory complexity and lengthen project timelines. Developers may face enhanced scrutiny regarding funding sources, beneficial ownership, third-party relationships, and financial reporting before obtaining approvals or financing. Although the reforms are designed to strengthen the country’s financial integrity and reduce money laundering risks, businesses operating in Guatemala’s energy sector will need to reinforce compliance programmes, governance frameworks, and risk assessment processes to adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape.
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