Top stories this week:
Woman Convicted Over £5 Billion Bitcoin Investment Scam | U.S. Money Laundering Prosecutions Fall by 24% in 2025
Welcome to this week's edition of the KYC Roundup, your gateway to the most impactful developments in the world of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and financial crime. In the AML arena, a woman is convicted for her role in a £5 billion bitcoin investment scam, and a Reuters report reveals U.S. money laundering prosecutions fell by 24% in 2025.
In the fast-paced world of sanctions, UN sanctions are reimposed against Iran, and G7 countries look to maximise pressure on Russian oil exports.
In the corruption space, the Spanish PM’s wife faces a public embezzlement trial.
We round off this week’s roundup with an article on the biggest AML fines for UK law firms in 2025.
KYC & AML
Woman convicted over £5 billion bitcoin investment scam
Zhimin Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to money laundering offences linked to an investment scam which led to 61,000 Bitcoin being seized by UK police.
U.S. money laundering prosecutions fall by 24% in 2025
Reuters reports that money laundering prosecutions have fallen by 24% in the U.S compared to the same period last year.
U.S. regulators curtail operations due to government shutdown
As a result of the U.S. government shutdown, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says it’s operating with “a very limited number of staff”, maintaining critical systems such as EDGAR while pausing most non-emergency work.
U.S. considers easing AML rules for non-bank businesses
FinCEN has sent out a “cost of compliance” survey to non-bank financial institutions to assess their compliance costs. The responses will guide potential deregulatory proposals.
11 EU member states miss deadline on public access to beneficial ownership registers
Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden have missed the deadline to restore public access to beneficial-ownership registers as part of transposing 6AMLD regulation. The European Commission has warned of potential legal action.
Sanctions
UN sanctions reimposed against Iran
Following the “snapback” process, the UN has reimposed sanctions on Iran, including asset freezes and trade limitations.
G7 countries to maximise pressure on Russian oil exports
G7 finance chiefs have agreed to target actors increasing purchases of Russian oil, signalling potential sanctions and trade restrictions.
Corruption
Spanish PM’s wife faces public embezzlement trial
A Spanish court has ordered a trial for Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on alleged public embezzlement charges tied to state contracts.
KYC360 News
Article: Biggest AML fines for UK law firms in 2025
2025 has seen some of the heaviest penalties issued against UK law firms for AML failings.
See the key failures and critical lessons for all professional services organisations from the largest fines of the year so far.
Your latest weekly update from the worlds of money laundering, legislation and regulation, sustainability, gaming and gambling, crypto and sanctions.
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