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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.
Money laundering
Guatemala's Congress passed comprehensive anti-money laundering legislation with 147 votes. Decree 15-2026 represents significant update to country's legal framework for combating financial crimes.
Terrorist financing
Bahrain's High Criminal Court convicted 11 people across two separate cases involving collaboration with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack the kingdom.
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.
On May 29, 2026, OFAC issued Counter Terrorism Designations and Iran-related Designations along with a Russia-related General License.
Terrorist financing
US Department of State designated Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), Brazil's two largest criminal organizations, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists on May 28, 2026, with Foreign Terrorist Organization designations effective June 5, 2026.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore imposed a composition penalty of S$300,000 on Padang Trust Singapore Pte. Ltd., a licensed trust company, for breaches of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism requirements.
Sanctions
The United States expanded sanctions targeting Lebanon's institutional power structure, including close associates of Speaker Nabih Berri and military officials.
Terrorist financing
Wall Street Journal reported billions of dollars in cryptocurrency were transferred through Binance exchange to financial networks linked to Islamic Republic and IRGC.
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada imposed administrative monetary penalty on 13010431 Canada Inc. for non-compliance with Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act requirements.
Money laundering
UAE Minister Abdulla bin Touq toured Dubai Gold Souq to meet with traders as part of enforcement efforts against illicit gold transactions linked to money laundering and terrorism financing. The initiative targets 'dirty gold' - precious metals with origins in illegal financial flows.
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.
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.
Australian regulator AUSTRAC expressed serious concerns about Tabcorp's money laundering and terrorism financing risk management controls, commenced enforcement investigation. Focus on effectiveness of Tabcorp's AML/CTF program and customer monitoring processes.
Terrorist financing
Bahrain's Ministry of Interior arrested 41 individuals from a group engaged in fundraising operations connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
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.
FINTRAC issued a $24,750 administrative monetary penalty to RE/MAX Twin City Realty Inc., a real estate brokerage with locations across southwestern Ontario. The company failed to properly assess and document risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing offences.
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
The Central Bank of the UAE rolled out fresh anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing guidelines, tightening expectations for banks and money transfer operators, with clearer supervisory expectations across customer verification, trade finance monitoring and correspondent banking.
Money laundering
The National Committee for Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing adopted a comprehensive set of decisions and initiatives during its second meeting of 2026 aimed at enhancing national readiness and advancing investigation and enforcement tools.
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.
Money laundering
In March 2026, Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued Ministerial Resolution No. 25 of 2026, establishing a matrix of violations and penalties related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
Twelve individuals, including reserve soldiers and civilians, face indictment for smuggling contraband valued at millions of shekels into Gaza. Prosecutors allege they transported forbidden goods during military operations or fabricated operational justifications.
Treasury sanctioned criminal operators and money launderers for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, targeting cash-to-crypto laundering networks tied to fentanyl trafficking.
Money laundering
ADGM published the 2026 update of its Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) Risk Assessment of Legal Persons and Arrangements (LPA).
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.
The UAE Central Bank imposed fines totaling 12.3 million dirhams on six exchange companies for violations of Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 concerning anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism.
Money laundering
UAE Central Bank imposed financial penalties totaling 12.3 million dirhams on 6 exchange companies for failures in AML/CFT compliance framework. Violations include non-compliance with Federal Decree-Law No.
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
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) reported that Kuwait has appropriate legal and regulatory framework for anti-money laundering but noted serious deficiencies preventing effective results in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.