Forty-nine crypto exchanges have registered with India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) under the country's new anti-money laundering framework, as regulators levy INR 2.8 billion in penalties and warn that offshore platforms will be blocked if they remain non-compliant.
Brazil's Federal Police executed more than 24 search and seizure warrants in Operation Kryptolaundry, dismantling a crypto money-laundering network linked to Glaidson Acácio dos Santos, the "Bitcoin Pharaoh". Authorities say the group moved about $500 million in illicit funds since 2021.
FinCEN fined Paxful $3.5 million after finding the platform enabled over $500 million in illicit cryptocurrency transactions due to failures in anti–money laundering compliance.
Europol announced coordinated December raids that dismantled a €700 million “crypto spiral,” disrupting widespread illicit flows across Europe. Authorities say the operation now moves into an enforcement phase focused on asset tracing and recovery.
South Korea has revised its anti-money‑laundering rules to capture small crypto transfers, expanding reporting duties, banning violators from owning or operating VASPs, and allowing preemptive asset freezes to curb illicit flows.
Europe will appoint Giuseppe Lopez as head of Europol’s financial crime unit, signaling a stepped-up focus on anti-money-laundering enforcement that includes crypto. The move is expected to sharpen cross-border investigations and coordination with industry and analytics providers.
Bithumb will close its USDT market and end a shared order book with Australia’s Stellar Exchange after just two months as regulators scrutinize its anti–money laundering controls. The move follows an ongoing probe by South Korean authorities.
A $1 billion lawsuit accuses Binance and CEO Changpeng Zhao of financing the October 7 attack, alleging the exchange ignored warning signs for years and allowed suspicious accounts to operate. The filing intensifies scrutiny on exchange controls and who ultimately owned those accounts.
South Korea is preparing sanctions against major crypto exchanges after a year-long Financial Intelligence Unit review found anti-money laundering shortcomings. The move signals tougher enforcement that could raise compliance costs and disrupt services.
Brazil's government and central bank have unveiled proposals to curb illicit use of Bitcoin and stablecoins by tightening KYC, reporting and oversight requirements. The measures aim to disrupt criminal activity but could raise compliance costs for exchanges, P2P platforms and stablecoin issuers.