Topic

AML & Financial Crime

Anti-money laundering and financial crime seen from the operational side. Articles here cover the new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority and what it changes for national supervisors, the 6th AML/CTF Directive's reach into professional football, the decline of suspicious activity reporting in Italy's gambling sector, and practical questions for compliance teams: building AML/CFT due diligence for virtual-asset investments, handling dual-use items and sanctions exposure, and choosing AML/KYC software. The common thread is how rules translate into controls that actually work.

Implementing an AML/CFT Due Diligence framework for Virtual Assets investments

In the past decade, virtual assets have grown from a $10 billion niche market to a trillion-dollar industry, reshaping global finance, with Luxembourg emerging as a key hub for their adoption and regulation. As of mid-2024, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier reported a 30% increase in the number of registered Virtual Asset Service Providers compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing institutional and alternative investment fund interest in digital assets

18 March 2025 By Diego Ofano

AML & Financial Crime

The decline of Suspicious Activity Reports in Italy’s gambling sector: A growing AML concern

22 October 2024 By Diego Ofano

AML & Financial Crime

6th AML/CTF Directive: Challenges and Implications for European Football Clubs

The recent introduction of the AML 6 Directive by the European Union marks a significant step towards combating money laundering and terrorist financing within various industries, including professional football. Football clubs fall under the scope of the AML 6 Directive, which mandates that all clubs must comply with stringent AML regulations unless exempted based on specific risk assessments and financial thresholds. This article analyses the current situation and future developments, examining how the application of the AML 6 Directive affects football clubs of varying sizes and the the implications for financial integrity in the sport.

22 July 2024 By Diego Ofano

AML & Financial Crime

Choosing the right AML/KYC Software: Key Considerations and Factors to assess before the adoption of a tool

AML/KYC software tools represent today a pillar of the elements in the fight against financial crimes and the adoption of sophisticated AML/KYC technologies has become indispensable, both for larger and smaller financial institution. This article analyses the aspects to consider when consider the adoption of a AML/KYC software tool, whether to buy or to acquire the rights of use.

29 February 2024 By Diego Ofano

AML & Financial Crime

Dual-Use Items on Investment Funds: What are they? Why are they important and why should you, as MLRO/RC, handle them with care?

In an era where geopolitical tensions are at a peak, with events like the ongoing war in Ukraine, the persistent Israel-Palestine conflict, which has escalated dramatically since the beginning of the October, investment funds with exposure to dual-use items are under the microscope by facing an increasingly scrutinized by national authorities.

4 January 2024 By Diego Ofano

AML & Financial Crime

The European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA): Why has it been established and impact on national financial supervisory authorities

"Where will the AMLA office be?" This question has created a lot of interest and discussion about the new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority, while some have speculated it might be in a city like Dublin, others suggested a financial hub such as Frankfurt. Finally, Frankfurt has been chosen to host the EU’s new anti-money laundering authority. However, apart from the excitement about its location, a more fundamental question arises: What exactly is AMLA? Why has it been established? And which is the potential impact on national financial supervisory authorities?

2 January 2024 By Diego Ofano