Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Turkey is preparing a law that would let its financial crime agency, Masak, freeze cryptocurrency and bank accounts linked to illegal activity. The rules also aim to strengthen oversight of crypto exchanges and curb the use of rented accounts and suspicious wallets.

Canada’s regulator FINTRAC has fined crypto exchange KuCoin \$14 million for failing to register properly and not reporting nearly 3,000 large transactions between 2021 and 2024. KuCoin disputes the fine and has appealed, while continuing to expand internationally, including a new partnership in Thailand for a blockchain-based bond program.

The Philippines has warned ten major offshore crypto exchanges, including OKX and Kraken, for operating without a licence under new rules. The regulator says these platforms pose risks to investors and may face legal action or website blocks.

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.