奥地利金融市场监管局（FMA）表示，因 KuCoin EU 失去关键反洗钱（AML）及反恐融资合规负责 人，已禁止其开展新业务及吸纳新客户。该交易所数月前刚获 MiCA 牌照，可在欧盟范围内运营。 FMA 称冻结措施将持续至相关合规岗位补齐为止。KuCoin 表示正在扩充奥地利合规团队并补充人员。 （CoinDesk） （来源：吴说） ...

Core Viewpoint - Russia is set to implement cryptocurrency market regulations by June 2027, allowing both qualified and unqualified investors to participate under different rules [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The regulations will impose a cap of 300,000 rubles ($4,000) on retail investors' cryptocurrency purchases [2]. - Qualified investors will need to pass mandatory testing to understand cryptocurrency transaction risks, but they can purchase unlimited quantities of crypto assets, excluding anonymous ones [2]. - The framework will include penalties for illegal activities by intermediaries, akin to sanctions for illegal banking activities [3]. Group 2: Central Bank's Role - The Central Bank of Russia proposed a framework in December to legalize and regulate cryptocurrency trading for individuals and institutions, indicating a shift towards a more favorable stance on cryptocurrencies [4]. - Digital currencies and stablecoins are recognized as monetary assets but are not permitted for domestic payments [4]. Group 3: Mining and Trading - Cryptocurrency miners will be encouraged to legalize their operations, with potential administrative, financial, and criminal liabilities for illegal activities [5]. - The Central Bank will compile a list of 5 to 10 cryptocurrencies allowed for trading, likely including BTC and ETH, with others available only to qualified investors [5]. Group 4: Anti-Money Laundering Measures - The Central Bank prohibits the purchase of cryptocurrencies that conceal transaction recipients, such as Monero (XMR), Zcash (ZEC), and Dash, to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations [6].

Regulatory Issues - Banco Santander was fined 40 million euros ($47 million) by Spain's anti-money laundering watchdog, Sepblac, due to past deficiencies in internal processes at its digital unit, Openbank [1][2] - The issues leading to the fine were described as "dating back some years" and have been fully addressed, according to a Santander spokesperson [3] Openbank Operations - Openbank operates in six countries: Spain, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Mexico, and the United States [4] - In October, Santander announced the merger of Openbank with its consumer finance business, planning to operate its European consumer finance businesses under the Openbank brand [5] Market Expansion - Openbank launched in the United States in October 2024, marking a significant expansion of Santander's U.S. consumer banking operations [7] - Openbank surpassed $2 billion in deposits in the U.S. four months after its launch and gained over 100,000 customers in the first six months [8]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry or jurisdiction being analyzed [5]. Core Insights - The report evaluates Benin's compliance with the standard of transparency and exchange of information on request, indicating that while the legal framework is in place, improvements are necessary in several areas, particularly regarding the availability and access to information [37][54]. - Benin has signed and ratified the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters and is working towards compliance with international standards [40]. - The report highlights that the legal framework for identifying beneficial owners is inadequate, and there are significant gaps in the availability and updating of information related to beneficial ownership and accounting records [46][49]. Summary by Sections Overview of Benin - Benin is located in West Africa with a population of approximately 14.7 million as of 2024, and its economy is primarily based on agriculture and raw material exports [65][66]. - The country is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) [65]. Availability of Information - The report identifies that improvements are needed in the availability of information regarding identity and ownership, accounting data, and banking information [38]. - Legal provisions require companies to maintain information on their beneficial owners, but the implementation is lacking [44][49]. Access to Information - The legal framework allows the tax administration to access documents held by entities, but there are limitations in accessing information from other obligated entities under anti-money laundering laws [53]. - The report notes that Benin has a limited practice of exchanging information, having received only four requests for information in the past three years [52]. Exchange of Information - Benin's network for exchanging information covers 156 partners, but the practical implementation of this exchange is yet to be evaluated [51][52]. - The report emphasizes the need for Benin to enhance its legal framework to ensure effective communication and access to information for tax purposes [53]. Recommendations - The report recommends that Benin strengthen its legal and operational framework to ensure the identification of beneficial owners and the availability of accounting records [46][50]. - It also suggests that the country should ensure the timely updating of information related to beneficial ownership and banking records [49].

Core Insights - South Korean authorities have dismantled a significant crypto crime ring that laundered approximately 150 billion won ($102 million) through various payment platforms and overseas exchanges [1][2][5] Group 1: Crime Operation Details - The crypto crime ring operated for about four years, utilizing WeChat Pay and Alipay to collect payments from clients in China and other countries [2] - Funds were converted into digital assets and transferred to overseas exchanges before being sent back to South Korea, where they were exchanged for local currency [3][4] - The group disguised illegal transactions as legitimate expenses, such as cosmetic surgery payments and tuition fees, to evade detection by banks [3][4] Group 2: Investigation and Findings - Customs officers identified three suspects by tracing transaction patterns across multiple accounts and digital wallets [4] - A Chinese man in his thirties was identified as a key figure in coordinating the fund flows [4] - The case is considered one of the largest crypto-linked remittance schemes in recent years, highlighting the challenges in tracking crypto transactions due to their rapid movement across exchanges [5] Group 3: Regulatory Response and Future Implications - In response to the growing issue of crypto-related crime, South Korea plans to implement stricter anti-money laundering regulations, including the application of the Travel Rule for transfers exceeding 1 million won [7] - The recent announcement of plans to launch spot crypto ETFs in 2026 indicates the evolving nature of South Korea's crypto market and the associated risks [4]

中国人民银行1月16日消息，中国人民银行、外交部、公安部等八部门日前公布的《反洗钱特别预防措 施管理办法》提出，金融机构应当建立健全反洗钱特别预防措施内控制度，识别和评估相关风险，采取 与风险相适应的管理措施。 （文章来源：中国证券报） 金融机构采取反洗钱特别预防措施后，办法明确，可以以适当方式告知被采取措施的对象，说明采取的 措施和理由。法律、行政法规或者相关部门另有保密要求的除外。 围绕法律责任，办法提出，依法负有反洗钱特别预防措施相关职责的部门工作人员违反规定，泄露应予 保密的信息的，依法给予处分。 办法共五章三十一条，自2026年2月16日起施行。在反洗钱特别预防措施义务方面，办法提出，金融机 构与客户建立业务关系、为客户提供一次性金融服务，或者业务关系存续期间客户身份基本信息发生变 化的，应当根据名单对客户进行核查。核查发现客户或者其交易对象属于名单所列对象或者其代理人、 受其指使的组织或者人员、其直接或者间接控制的组织的，金融机构应当立即采取反洗钱特别预防措 施。在采取限制转移措施时，前款规定的组织或者人员与他人共同拥有或者控制的资金、资产，如无法 分割或者确定份额的，金融机构应当一并采取措施。 ...

Kazakhstan’s Agency for Financial Monitoring shut down 22 unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges and blocked more than 1,100 illegal online crypto services in 2025, AFM Chairman Zhanat Elimanov reported during a Jan. 12 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Authorities also froze approximately 20,000 bank cards used to launder proceeds from drug trafficking and fraud. Investigators completed 1,135 criminal cases last year and secured compensation of 141.5 billion tenge (approximately $277 million) ...

Core Viewpoint - Korbit, a South Korean crypto exchange, will not appeal a fine of nearly $2 million for failing to enforce anti-money laundering protocols, which was imposed by the Financial Intelligence Unit following an investigation that revealed multiple violations [1][2]. Regulatory Actions - The Financial Intelligence Unit's investigation in October 2024 uncovered around 22,000 violations at Korbit, including 12,800 instances of accepting poorly copied ID documents and customer registrations without residential addresses [6][7]. - The agency also found that Korbit allowed numerous individuals who had not completed full know-your-customer checks to trade crypto and conducted transfers with unregistered overseas crypto service providers [7]. Financial Impact - The fine represents a significant setback for Korbit, which is South Korea's first crypto exchange and was once a market leader in the Bitcoin-won market [2]. - Korbit's average daily trading volume has decreased to just above $12 million this year, accounting for only 0.5% of the South Korean market [3]. Ownership Changes - Korbit is preparing for a change in ownership, with Mirae Asset nearing a takeover deal valued between $68 million and $95 million, currently owned by Nexon through its holding company NXC and a subsidiary of SK [4][5]. - A memorandum of understanding has reportedly been sealed between Mirae Asset and the shareholders of NXC and SK, although finer details of the deal are still pending [4][5]. Compliance Measures - Following the inspection, Korbit stated that it has "faithfully completed all of the corrective actions" recommended by the Financial Intelligence Unit in its post-inspection report [8].

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has recognized the T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU) as a leading example of effective public-private collaboration in combating illicit activity across blockchain networks, according to a report published on January 8. In its latest publication, the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing watchdog pointed out T3 FCU’s ability to operate across jurisdictions, monitor transactions in real time, and support law enforcement agencies in identifying an ...

Core Viewpoint - Binance and its executives are facing a lawsuit from victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, alleging that the exchange facilitated payments to terrorist groups, contributing to the attack [1]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, filed in North Dakota, claims Binance processed over $1 billion for Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, including approximately $50 million after October 7 [2]. - Plaintiffs argue that Binance's inadequate controls allowed terrorist organizations to move funds through its platform, directly contributing to the attacks [2]. Group 2: Previous Legal Issues - This lawsuit follows a previous settlement where Binance and its CEO pleaded guilty to violating sanctions and money-transmitting laws, resulting in a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Treasury [3]. - As part of the settlement, Binance admitted to failing to report transactions involving Hamas and other sanctioned entities, indicating ongoing issues with anti-money-laundering and sanctions controls [3]. Group 3: Industry Response and Analysis - Blockchain analytics firms, such as Chainalysis and Elliptic, caution that the amounts attributed to Hamas may be overstated, with confirmed fundraising in the low millions, and that lawsuits often conflate intermediary activity with funds controlled by militant groups [4]. - An investigation by ICIJ suggests that Binance has not fully implemented required compliance reforms post-settlement, which may impact the ongoing litigation [5].