The Financial Intelligence Unit of Cyprus (MOKAS) has published its Strategic Analysis Report (the “Report”) for the period 2023–2024.The Report was prepared following a thematic analysis of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs/SARs) submitted to MOKAS during the years 2023 and 2024. The Report provides valuable insights into trends and practices related to Money Laundering and Terrorist…
The European Union renewed its list of individuals and entities facing sanctions for terrorism-related activities on July 29, 2025. The decision highlights the removal of one individual who is deceased, and stresses that all other existing designations remain. Currently, the sanctions target 13 individuals and 22 groups or entities. These sanctions operate independently of the…
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has published its 2025 Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks, offering a detailed overview of how terrorist organisations continue to raise, move, and use funds through increasingly sophisticated and hybrid methods. These include the misuse of formal financial channels, informal value transfer systems such as hawala, virtual assets, digital…
On 26 June 2025, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released its sixth targeted update on global efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in relation to virtual assets (VAs) and virtual asset service providers (VASPs). While some jurisdictions have advanced in implementing FATF Recommendation 15, significant gaps remain. Key issues include ongoing difficulties…
The FATF has updated its Guidance on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Measures to support countries and the private sector in bringing more people into the formal financial sector through proportionate, risk-based approaches to tackling illicit finance. The new guidance highlights that financial inclusion and the fight against financial crime are mutually…
