Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

New Zealand has banned all crypto ATMs and set a $5,000 limit on international cash transfers to fight money laundering and organised crime. Over 220 machines were shut down, with the government saying they were being used to quickly move criminal funds overseas.

Thailand has approved a five-year income tax exemption on crypto trading profits from 2025 to 2029, applying to sales through licensed platforms. The move aims to spur blockchain innovation while maintaining investor protection through regulatory oversight.

Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed a major digital law that establishes clear crypto regulations and strict AML standards, while also offering incentives for AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure—signalling its ambition to become a global tech and investment hub.

Following an 18-month probe, Australian authorities charged four people in a suspected $123 million laundering scheme that used a Gold Coast security firm to funnel funds into crypto. Police seized $13 million in assets, including property and vehicles, across two states.

At the 2025 European Anti-Financial Crime Summit, the EU announced plans to tighten tracking of crypto transactions. The goal is to increase transparency by collecting data on both senders and recipients.

South Korean presidential candidate Hong Joon-pyo vows to ease crypto regulations, aiming to replicate the US’s market-friendly approach that’s boosted jobs and bank charters. His proposals, aligned with ongoing AML and foreign investment talks, position digital assets as a growth driver. Could Trump-style crypto deregulation be emerging as a broader political strategy in Asia?

Chainflip introduced an upgrade to block illicit funds linked to the Bybit hack, protecting its platform and liquidity providers. The protocol now uses enhanced screening tools to prevent hackers from using its services to launder stolen assets.

French prosecutors are starting a new investigation into Binance, over claims of money laundering and drug trafficking. According to reports by Reuters, Binance is accused of breaking these regulations in not just France, but at least 10 European Union countries between 2021 and 2025, with allegations ranging from Anti-Money Laundering violations to failing to register as a securities operations.

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission is easing restrictions on institutional crypto trading, starting with non-profit organizations, after the Virtual Asset User Protection Act passed in 2024. The country is also planning to introduce a 20% crypto tax in 2025 and explore crypto ETFs and security tokens to boost market participation.

Kazakhstan shut down 36 illegal crypto exchanges, seizing $4.8 million in assets, as part of a larger effort to combat financial crime. The government is also tightening regulations to prevent crypto-related money laundering and pyramid schemes.