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Sanctions
OFAC designated four major Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges: Nobitex, Wallex, Bitpin, and Ramzinex as part of Trump administration's Economic Fury campaign.
Sanctions
The US Treasury sanctioned four Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges (Nobitex, Wallex, BitPin, Ramzinex) and four Iranian individuals for facilitating sanctions evasion and supporting IRGC operations.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed a $1 million penalty on FTI Consulting for engaging in a payment arrangement with VTB Bank, a US-sanctioned Russian financial institution.
Sanctions
Proyekt investigation revealed that former FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev, oligarchs Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Yevtushenkov were beneficiaries of the A7 cross-border payment network evading sanctions.
French naval forces intercepted the oil tanker Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean on May 31, 2026. The vessel was under sanctions from the US, EU, UK, and Ukraine since February 2026.
Sanctions
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced seizure of approximately $1 billion in cryptocurrency linked to Iran's Defense Ministry and sanctioned four Iranian crypto exchanges (Nobitex, BitPin, Wallex, Ramzinex) that processed at least $2.3 billion for sanctioned entities since 2023.
On May 29, 2026, OFAC issued Counter Terrorism Designations and Iran-related Designations along with a Russia-related General License.
Sanctions
FCA published review of over 150 firms' sanctions controls since February 2022, identifying systemic weaknesses including inadequate customer due diligence, poor alert management, deficient name and transaction screening, and improper frozen asset handling.
Sanctions
UK imposed major sanctions package on May 26, 2026 targeting cryptocurrency exchanges and illicit finance networks used by Russia. First application of correspondent banking and payment processing restrictions to crypto exchanges.
Sanctions
The UK sanctioned 18 cryptocurrency exchanges, payment providers, and individuals for helping Russia bypass international trade blockades using digital assets. Major targets include HTX (formerly Huobi Global S.A.), which is suspected of channeling over $1.
Money laundering
Judge Marcelo Aguinsky charged Luis Fernando Vuteff, Argentine financier, with money laundering of illicit sources conducted habitually and imposed an embargo of $5.1 million USD. Vuteff was convicted in the US (December 2024) to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to launder $1.
Sanctions
UK designated cryptocurrency exchange Huobi Global (HTX), which channeled over $1.5 billion to Russia, along with 3 Georgian crypto exchanges and the A7 network that moved $9.3 billion through A7A5 ruble-backed stablecoin in four months.
Sanctions
The United States expanded sanctions targeting Lebanon's institutional power structure, including close associates of Speaker Nabih Berri and military officials.
Sanctions
The AMF Sanctions Commission condemned on 20 May 2026 Mr. Ytane Mamou to a fine of €30,000 and his cousin Mr. Elie Houri to €20,000 for insider trading.
Sanctions
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on allies to disrupt Iran's financial networks. Treasury reviewed sanctions list and directed U.S. banks to monitor oil labeled as 'Malaysian blend' in shipping documents, frequently used to conceal Iranian origin.
Sanctions
The ACPR Sanctions Commission imposed on 13 May 2026 a reprimand and a pecuniary sanction of twenty million euros to Société Générale for its insurance intermediary activity. This is the highest sanction ever pronounced by the ACPR since 2018.
Sanctions
On May 14, the economic criminal court rejected AFA's and Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia's attempt to appeal the decision to prosecute for alleged improper withholding of tax and social security contributions linked to Argentine football clubs.
Iran relies on hawala networks operating through exchange houses and brokers in Dubai, Kuwait, and Gulf Arab states, with entire Telegram channels tracking daily 'hawala (Emirati) dirhams' rates between Dubai and Iran and Omani rials into Iranian accounts.
Sanctions
The ACPR Sanctions Commission issued a reprimand and a financial penalty of €20 million against Société Générale in its capacity as an insurance intermediary.
Sanctions
UAE Cabinet designated 21 individuals and entities as terrorists due to connections to Hezbollah. All assets to be investigated and frozen following Cabinet decision.
Money laundering
Swiss regulator FINMA launched consultation (until June 9, 2026) on partially revised AML Ordinance addressing beneficial ownership transparency, Embargo Act compliance to prevent sanctions breaches, and FATF recommendations implementation.
FinCEN issued alert FIN-2026-Alert002 outlining funding streams and procurement networks supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
U.S. Treasury sanctioned 3 individuals and 9 entities in May 2026, including four Hong Kong-based companies that played a key role in facilitating money transfers and circumventing Iran's oil sanctions in Asian markets by facilitating Iranian oil transfers to China.
OFAC designated 12 individuals and entities for facilitating IRGC oil sales to China through front companies.
OFAC issued Counter Terrorism and Counter Narcotics designations on May 8, 2026, blocking property and interests in property of certain persons under U.S. jurisdiction.
Fraud & scams
World Bank updated its listing of debarred firms and individuals on May 5, 2026. As of March 31, 2026, the World Bank Debarment list includes 1,386 firms and individuals barred by World Bank Group from receiving Bank-financed contracts due to fraud, corruption or collusion.
Sanctions
Joint investigation by OCCRP and Follow the Money reveals Western shipowners earned at least $6.3 billion selling hundreds of aging tankers to shell companies that became part of Russia's shadow fleet. At least 230 vessels from Europe and U.S.
Sanctions
Reuters investigation found that brothers Ali and Mohammad Kharrazi (using surname Aghamir) turned Nobitex into Iran's dominant cryptocurrency provider managing ~70% of Iran's crypto transactions.
Money laundering
The ACPR Sanctions Commission issued a reprimand and a pecuniary sanction of €1.3 million to MoneyGram International SA on 19 March 2026.
On April 21, 2026, OFAC sanctioned 14 individuals, entities, and aircraft based in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates for their alleged involvement in procuring or transporting weapons or weapons components on behalf of the Iranian regime.
OFAC added 3 individuals (Eduardo Javier Islas Valdez 'Crosty', Juan Pablo Penilla Rodriguez, Jesus Reymundo Ramos Vazquez) and 3 entities (Casino Centenario, Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Money laundering
On April 1, 2026, the AMF imposed a €300,000 fine on Kerdiz Finance et Conseil and €75,000 fines each on directors Anthony Finck and Marc Peuvrier, plus a five-year ban on financial advisory activity.
UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation imposed £390,000 penalty on Apple Distribution International Limited (Irish subsidiary) for making two payments totaling £635,618.
On March 18, 2026, ACPR and Direction générale du Trésor published updated guidelines on implementing asset freezing measures, replacing June 2021 text.
World Bank imposed debarment with conditional release on Aktif Elektroteknik San ve Tic A.S. for minimum of one year and three months following findings of corrupt and fraudulent practices in Iraq.
OFAC designated six individuals and two entities for facilitating North Korean IT worker fraud schemes that generated nearly $800 million in 2024 to fund DPRK weapons programs. Network includes Amnokgang Technology Development Company and facilitators in Vietnam, Laos, Spain.
The Insider investigation analyzed Russian companies' foreign trade data for 2024-2025 and identified over 6,000 foreign firms (including ~4,000 Chinese and Hong Kong, ~300 Turkish, 120 UAE, and 60 Indian companies) directly or indirectly supplying the Russian military-industrial complex while ignoring international sanctions.
Money laundering
Deferred Prosecution Agreement reached between U.S. Department of Justice and Halkbank on March 9, 2026 regarding fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations charges.
Sanctions
Turkey's Halkbank reached a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the US Department of Justice to resolve criminal charges related to violating Iran sanctions. The prosecution alleged Halkbank illegally transferred approximately $20 billion in restricted Iranian funds.
Money laundering
Bellingcat investigation revealed Daniel and Christy Kinahan, leaders of €1.5 billion Kinahan cartel, photographed at Dubai MMA event in June 2025, marking most recent sighting since U.S. government placed multi-million dollar bounties on them.
Fraud & scams
Department of Justice filed civil forfeiture complaints against $15.
Sanctions
Investigation analyzing 2024-2025 foreign trade data identified over 6,000 companies trading with sanctioned Russian enterprises and defense contractors, including approximately 4,000 Chinese firms (Henan New Silk Road International delivered 100+ turbojet engines worth $3M to sanctioned Chipdevice…
Money laundering
Swiss regulator FINMA concluded enforcement proceedings against MBaer Merchant Bank AG concerning anti-money laundering rules and sanctions risk management. U.S. FinCEN designated MBaer as financial institution of primary money laundering concern, alleging bank funneled over $100 million through U.
FinCEN designated MBaer Merchant Bank AG as an institution of primary money laundering concern under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, proposing to prohibit U.S. banks from maintaining correspondent accounts with MBaer.
Financial Times identified a network of 48 companies involved in transporting Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions worth $90 billion. All 48 companies were discovered to use the same private email server, revealing a coordinated sanctions evasion scheme.
Money laundering
EU's Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) launched consultations in February 2026 on three draft regulatory technical standards: (1) customer due diligence, (2) criteria for identifying business relationships, occasional transactions, and linked transactions, and (3) financial sanctions, administrative measures, and periodic penalty payments.
Sanctions
The DFSA fined reinsurance broker Wael Abdelmohsen Abdellatif Mohamed Emara (Mohsen) $139,722 (Dh513,129) and prohibited him from holding office or working at any DFSA-authorised firm. He is also restricted from carrying out any function connected to financial services in or from DIFC.
The Paris correctional court convicted 5 natural persons and 5 legal entities for private corruption, organized market manipulation or insider trading offenses dating to 2018.
Sanctions
The AMF Sanctions Committee condemned Makor Securities Paris to a fine of €700,000 and its director Yankel Hassan to €150,000 for serious failings in their market abuse detection system.
Treasury sanctioned criminal operators and money launderers for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, targeting cash-to-crypto laundering networks tied to fentanyl trafficking.
OFAC removed sanctions on 76 outdated targets from its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List as part of Treasury's ongoing sanctions modernization initiative.
Money laundering
In its decision of 31 December 2025, the Sanctions Commission imposed fines of 200,000 €, 70,000 € and 35,000 € respectively against M Capital Partners and its executives, Rudy Secco and Stéphanie Minissier, for breaches of several professional obligations between August 2019 and December 2023.
Money laundering
In its decision of 10 December 2025, the Sanctions Commission imposed fines of 400,000 € and 100,000 € respectively against asset management company Novaxia Investissement and one of its former executives, Joachim Azan, for breaching several professional obligations.
Sanctions
In its decision of 15 September 2025, the Sanctions Commission imposed fines of 600,000 €, 500,000 € and 200,000 € respectively against asset management company Altaroc Partners and its executives, Maurice Tchenio and Patrick de Giovanni, for breaches of their professional obligations.
Money laundering
Central Bank of UAE imposed financial sanctions totaling AED 12.3 million ($3.35 million) on six exchange houses operating in UAE for violations and failures to comply with AML/CFT framework and related regulations. Action taken pursuant to Article 14 of Federal Decree Law No.
Money laundering
Central Bank of UAE imposed Dh200 million fine on unnamed exchange house for major violations of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. Investigation revealed serious compliance failures in AML framework.
Money laundering
ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority imposed total financial penalties of $12.46 million on Hayvn Group of Companies, AC Holding Limited, AC Limited, and former CEO Christopher Flinos for serious regulatory breaches.