December 2023

Politics in the US is about more – much more – than who will be the next president. Among the many arguments and negotiations, the world of financial regulation often seems to hide in the shadows.

On 13th December 2023, the European Union  took a significant step forward in its fight against financial crime, especially anti-money laundering. Establishing the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) is a testament to this commitment. The new body is designed to supervise and coordinate national authorities, enhancing their ability to detect and combat suspicious cross-border transactions.

Any industry that moves a lot of money is bound to chase the holy grail of payment systems that are safe, secure and simple to use. Gambling fits the bill. It’s continuously evolving and, increasingly, looking for ways to transfer funds securely between casinos and their patrons very quickly and very easily. And while the

The digital remittance market is growing – fast! A recent Yahoo Finance report* highlighted that this sector is predicted to continue growing rapidly over the next decade. Globally worth $22.1 billion in 2023, it is should be worth $44.4 billion by 2028. By 2032 it will be worth nearly $80 billion. Put simply, there’s an

In the USA, online sports betting continues to expanded rapidly. It’s not just in professional leagues but in college sports too. Relaxation of state laws around online gambling and sports betting has led to a prolonged surge in this often compulsive form of entertainment. The growth, while presenting new opportunities, means that gambling addiction is

In 2024 and beyond, the financial landscape will be characterized by rapid technological change and the importance of how we move money. Fintech companies are at the forefront of this response, revolutionizing payment methods and enhancing customer experiences. At the same time, they make the financial world safer.

One of the most important sectors in the financial world is the remittance market. In 2022, global remittances totaled a staggering $830 billion, with a significant portion flowing from developed economies like the US to lower and middle-income countries (LMIC), mainly in Asia and the global south. In 2023, that value will likely grow to over $860 billion.

The 2023 Basel AML Index has brought to light an alarming escalation in global money laundering and terrorist financing risks. This annual report, emphasizing the urgent need for effective compliance measures, describes a concerning trend: despite robust frameworks, the effectiveness of systems for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism funding (CFT) is in decline. As the

In financial services, risk perception is often as significant as the risk itself. A recent report(1) in  The Business Times of Singapore reveals growing concerns among Singaporean financial institutions about money laundering risks. This comes in the wake of a major scandal in August 2023, where ten individuals were arrested for a money-laundering scheme involving

In recent years, the gambling industry has made important strides in addressing problem gambling. Increasingly, the emphasis is on support for those at risk, rather than punitive measures. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the importance of responsible gambling practices and the need to protect vulnerable individuals. Some organisations have acted slowly but the