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ESMA announces cyber risk and digital resilience as its 2026 supervisory priorities, focusing on DORA implementation and stronger EU coordination to boost financial system resilience

ESMA underscores that the activation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) from January 2025 has sharpened its focus on enhancing ICT risk-management and digital operational resilience across the EU securities sector, noting strong engagement by national competent authorities (NCAs) to date. It further indicates that for 2026 the NCAs will build on their 2025 work on ESG disclosures and other priority themes, while ESMA remains ready to trigger supervisory action on additional emerging risks identified at Union-level…

OECD’s 10-year review of the BEPS initiative highlights major gains in tax transparency and global cooperation, indirectly reinforcing AML efforts by curbing profit-shifting and reducing avenues for illicit financial flows

The report reflects on ten years of international tax reform, noting stronger frameworks for transparency, information exchange, and fairer global taxation. These developments enhance the integrity of the financial system by narrowing gaps that enable corporate tax abuse and by complementing AML measures aimed at tracing and deterring illicit cross-border flows.

EBA’s 2024 Annual Report on Supervisory Convergence highlights progress to harmonise EU supervision across prudential and AML/CFT areas, strengthening consistency and oversight

The Report details the EBA’s extensive efforts to strengthen the alignment of supervisory approaches across Member States and across all dimensions of its activities: prudential, resolution, consumer protection, digital finance and, until the end of 2025, AML/CFT. This is also a first step in implementing the recommendations set out in the EBA’s Report on the efficiency of the regulatory and supervisory framework…

Swiss Federal Council opens consultation on draft legislation to combat ML, outlining plans for a BO register and extending AML obligations to consultancy activities – feedback until 30 Jan 2026

On 15 October 2025, the Swiss Federal Council initiated a public consultation on draft ordinances implementing the register of beneficial owners and expanding the Anti‑Money Laundering Act to cover certain legal and consultancy services. The consultation period runs until 30 January 2026, enabling stakeholders to provide input on the detailed regulatory framework…

 

EBA’s report on white-labelling reveals that about 35% of banks use this model, offering innovation opportunities but posing significant AML/CTF, fraud, transparency, and consumer protection risks

The EBA warns that the rapid growth of white-labelling often involving non-bank and unregulated partners such as online marketplaces undermines regulatory oversight, blurs consumer accountability, and heightens fraud and AML/CTF risks due to gaps in onboarding, monitoring, and data-sharing. To address these issues, the EBA plans supervisory convergence in 2026 to better map, regulate, and enhance transparency around white-labelling models across the EU…

EBA’s 2025 Final Report on AML/CFT Implementation Reviews shows EU supervision has strengthened, yet gaps in tools and enforcement remain, with AMLA set to ensure consistent FC oversight

The report highlights that national competent authorities have improved risk-based supervision, enhanced cooperation with domestic and international partners, and made better use of supervisory tools. It also identifies ongoing challenges, including staff shortages, limited resources, and uneven implementation of AML/CFT measures across jurisdictions, which could affect the effectiveness of the EU’s anti-money laundering framework…

Europol launches the EU’s Digital Entry/Exit System, replacing passport stamps with biometric checks to strengthen security, curb cross-border crime and support AML efforts – full rollout by Apr 2026

The system aims to detect visa overstays, prevent identity and document fraud, and strengthen border security while enabling faster, automated crossings. During its six-month rollout, both passport stamping and digital registration will operate in parallel, with full implementation expected by 10 April 2026. Emphasising data protection, the system complies with GDPR standards and includes strict safeguards on personal data use and retention…

FinCEN renews its Residential Real Estate GTOs, requiring title insurance companies to identify individuals behind shell companies used in non-financed purchases – expires 28 Feb 2026

Effective from October 10, 2025, to February 28, 2026, the renewal maintains the existing geographic coverage and purchase thresholds—$300,000 in most areas and $50,000 in Baltimore City and County. The extension bridges the gap until the new Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule (RRE Rule) takes effect on March 1, 2026, reinforcing efforts to curb illicit finance in the real estate sector…

ESMA’s 2023 Post-Trade Transparency Manual clarifies reporting rules, deferrals, and instrument coverage, key for detecting suspicious trading and ensuring compliance

The manual emphasizes the importance of accurate and timely post-trade reporting to detect market abuse, manipulation, and insider trading across EU financial markets. It also highlights the responsibilities of reporting entities to maintain robust controls and data integrity, which are essential for effective supervision and investigation of potential financial crime…

UK PSR decides not to proceed with an interim cap on UK-EEA cross-border interchange fees, citing the need stronger data and analysis to protect transparency and integrity in payment systems

The decision highlights the PSR’s cautious approach to regulatory intervention, aiming to prevent distortions in cross-border payment flows that could obscure transaction data or complicate oversight. It also reinforces the importance of developing a sound evidence base and coordinated framework to maintain visibility and accountability across international payment networks…

FSB publishes a report examining how authorities monitor AI adoption and related vulnerabilities in the financial sector, building on its 2024 report and outlining the next steps for oversight

The report identifies a range of direct and proxy indicators to support monitoring of AI adoption and related vulnerabilities in the financial system. The report includes a case study on recent developments in the AI supply chain and implications of financial institutions’ reliance on a few critical third-party providers. These include vulnerabilities related to criticality, concentration, and substitutability…

ESMA issues its 2nd Statement on the MiFID II/MiFIR review transition, guiding market participants and authorities on applying revised trading, reporting, and operational rules for smooth implementation

The second public statement on the MiFID II/MiFIR review transition, providing guidance on how market participants and authorities should apply the revised rules, including adjustments to trading, reporting, investor protection, and operational practices, to ensure a smooth implementation and alignment with the updated framework…

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