The European Union's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) guidelines have been expanded to include European crypto companies, according to a decision by the European Banking Authority (EBA). The updated guidelines, effective December 30, require crypto asset service providers (CASPs) to identify and address exposure risks to financial crimes. The guidelines offer specific measures, including the use of blockchain analytics tools, to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. The move is hailed as a significant step in the EU's fight against financial crime, harmonizing approaches across the union for crypto firms.

In a significant move, the European Union's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) guidelines have been extended to encompass European crypto companies. The decision, announced by the European Banking Authority (EBA) on January 16, brings crypto asset service providers (CASPs) under the regulatory framework aimed at combating financial crimes.

Effective December 30, the amended guidelines are designed to assist CASPs in identifying exposure risks related to financial crimes arising from their customers, products, delivery channels, and geographical locations. The move represents a crucial step forward in the EU's fight against financial crime, aligning approaches and measures for crypto firms across the union.

The guidelines provide specific directives for crypto firms to enhance their financial crime-fighting measures. This includes recommendations on the utilization of blockchain analytics tools to identify and address potential risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing. The EBA emphasizes the importance of harmonizing the approach for crypto firms to ensure a unified front in mitigating financial crime threats.

The updated guidelines introduce cryptocurrency and crypto company-specific risks and guidance for financial firms holding cryptocurrencies or serving crypto companies. They also include comprehensive financial crime risk assessment guidance, urging crypto firms to consider potential risks associated with features such as anonymity-enhancing features, self-hosted wallets, decentralized platforms, and products facilitating transfers between the company and such services.

This development follows the EU's finalization of the Transfer of Funds Regulation (ToFR) governing crypto transfers and the comprehensive Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. MiCA's crypto investor protections are set to take effect in December, with EU member states having the option to implement an 18-month transitional period for CASPs, allowing them to operate without a license.

The extension of AML and CTF guidelines to crypto firms marks a pivotal moment in the regulatory landscape, emphasizing the EU's commitment to ensuring a robust and harmonized framework for addressing financial crimes in the cryptocurrency space. As the guidelines come into effect, crypto companies will be required to adapt and implement the recommended measures to enhance the integrity of the financial system.


(JESSE COGHLAN, COINTELEGRAPH, 2024)