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MAS publishes the Safeguards for Agentic Finance industry white paper, developed with leading FIs and FinTechs, setting out a practical framework for the safe deployment of AI agents in financial services

July 3, 2026

The paper introduces a set of runtime safeguards designed to ensure AI agents operate securely, transparently and within defined governance and risk parameters through mechanisms such as policy enforcement, real-time monitoring, human oversight, auditability and interoperability. The initiative aims to foster trusted adoption of agentic AI while supporting innovation, operational resilience and effective risk management across the financial sector…

New Zealand reshapes its AML/CFT regime under a single regulator, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), with a stronger, more consistent risk-based supervisory approach

July 1, 2026

From 1 July 2026, DIA assumes responsibility as New Zealand’s sole AML/CFT supervisor and has released 23 pieces of new or updated guidance covering risk assessment, country risk, CDD, beneficial ownership, wire transfers, audit, designated business groups and financial crime prevention network arrangements. DIA says the shift is intended to create more consistent expectations and a more streamlined experience for reporting entities…

AUSTRAC expands AML/CTF laws from 1 July 2026, bringing real estate, legal and accounting sectors into scope to close key ML gaps in property and professional services

July 1, 2026

From 1 July 2026, real estate agents, lawyers, conveyancers, accountants and dealers in precious metals and stones must comply with AML/CTF obligations where they provide designated services, including having a programme, compliance officer, staff training and reporting arrangements in place. AUSTRAC says the expansion targets sectors criminals use to hide illicit funds through property transactions, trusts and company structures…

AUSTRAC launches a public VASP register, enabling consumers and businesses to verify whether crypto providers are registered and regulated, strengthening transparency and AML oversight

June 30, 2026

The public register lists all virtual asset service providers registered with AUSTRAC and is designed to improve transparency, help identify legitimate providers and support efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crimes. AUSTRAC says VASPs must be registered before offering designated services in Australia and may have registration suspended, cancelled or refused where they pose unacceptable ML/TF, people…

Sri Lanka’s FIU sharpens mutual evaluation preparations, using its latest AML/CFT National Coordinating Committee meeting to push collaboration and implementation discipline

June 25, 2026

The fifth AML/CFT National Coordinating Committee meeting of 2026 was convened on 25 June at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with the Governor stressing determination and collaboration ahead of Sri Lanka’s upcoming mutual evaluation onsite visit. The FIU presented progress on mutual evaluation submissions and next steps, with participation from key stakeholder institutions, AML/CFT Task Force members and senior CBSL officials.

FINTRAC updates guidance on the Ministerial Directive on Financial Transactions Associated with Iran, reinforcing EDD, reporting, and sanctions evasion controls for all Iran-linked transactions

June 23, 2026

The guidance, updated on 23 June 2026, explains obligations under Canada’s Ministerial Directive on financial transactions associated with Iran, including sanctions evasion risk assessment, identity verification, customer due diligence, source-of-funds checks, beneficial ownership information and recordkeeping. It also sets out reporting instructions for electronic funds transfers, cash, virtual currency, casino disbursements and negotiable…

New Zealand’s DIA publishes its 2026 Real Estate Sector Risk Assessment, updating how real estate agents should understand and manage ML/TF risks in the sector

June 22, 2026

The Real Estate Agent Sector Risk Assessment 2026 was published on 22 June to help reporting entities understand and manage ML/TF risks associated with the real estate sector. DIA says the assessment provides an updated view of sector-wide threats and vulnerabilities and should support firms in reviewing and strengthening their own risk assessments and AML/CFT compliance programmes…

HKMA advances its AI-driven financial crime agenda, issuing guidance to accelerate bank’s adoption of AI across AML/CFT, fraud detection, sanctions screening, and risk management

June 22, 2026

The guidance highlights the potential of AI to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and accuracy of financial crime controls while setting out key principles for governance, risk management, data quality, model oversight, and human accountability. It forms part of HKMA’s broader strategy to accelerate innovation and promote the safe and effective use of AI across the banking sector in the fight against increasingly sophisticated financial crime threats…

GIABA’s 5th Enhanced Follow-Up Report on Benin records FATF compliance upgrades on wire transfers and beneficial ownership, while the country remains under enhanced monitoring

June 21, 2026

Benin’s fifth enhanced follow-up report assesses progress against FATF Recommendations 16, 24 and 25, covering wire transfers, beneficial ownership of legal persons and beneficial ownership of legal arrangements. GIABA notes that Benin was placed in enhanced follow-up after its 2021 mutual evaluation because of low effectiveness ratings and multiple non-compliant or partially compliant technical ratings, with re-ratings granted only where sufficient progress has been demonstrated…

APG’s 2025 Typologies Report reveals that fraud accounts for 59% of reported cases, exposing the growing nexus between cyber scams, human trafficking, and virtual assets across Asia-Pacific

June 20, 2026

The report presents 114 case studies from 17 APG members and one observer jurisdiction, with fraud appearing in 59% of cases, financial institutions remaining the most used channel, and virtual assets, mule accounts, third-party platforms, cash and legal persons featuring prominently across laundering methods. It gives particular attention to cyber scam hubs and human trafficking in Southeast Asia, warning that industrial-scale fraud compounds generate tens of billions of dollars annually and require stronger intelligence sharing…

TI UK welcomes Bermuda’s proposal to introduce “legitimate interest” access to its BO register but argues that the framework should go further to align with FATF Rec 24 and the EU’s 6AMLD

June 19, 2026

TI UK argues Bermuda’s current definition of beneficial ownership is too narrow and should better capture individuals exercising control through ownership, voting rights, board appointments, significant influence, and trust structures. The paper supports granting access to journalists, civil society organisations, academics, reporting entities, and other parties involved in detecting money laundering, corruption, sanctions evasion, and related crimes…

Singapore Police investigated 216 scammers and money mules tied to over 406 e-commerce, impersonation, job, investment, and rental scams cases, with losses exceeding $9M

June 18, 2026

The Police Force carried out a two-week islandwide operation from 4–17 June 2026, investigating 216 individuals (158 men and 58 women aged 16–73)the suspects are being probed for cheating, money laundering, and unlicensed payment services offences, which carry penalties of imprisonment, fines, and, from late 2025, mandatory or discretionary caning for scam-related and mule-facilitating activities…

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