The sentencing of Daren Li to the statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment marks a significant escalation in the United States’ crackdown on global cryptocurrency investment fraud and associated money laundering networks. The case underscores the scale, sophistication and transnational reach of scam centre operations operating from Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, and highlights the growing convergence between romance fraud, cyber-enabled deception and crypto asset l

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has signalled a clear escalation in its approach to cryptoassets, confirming that digital assets are now firmly embedded within the UK’s sanctions enforcement perimeter. In a blog published on 28 January 2026, OFSI outlined how sanctions enablers are increasingly attempting to exploit cryptoassets to move and conceal illicit funds, and how UK authorities are responding through coordinated, intelligence-led action. Centra

A Chinese national has been sentenced to 46 months in prison in the United States for his role in laundering more than $36.9 million linked to a large scale digital asset investment scam that targeted American victims. Jingliang Su was also ordered to pay $26.8 million in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal money transmitting business. The fraud was orchestrated through scam centres based in Cambodia and affected at least 174 victims across t

The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a wide ranging consultation on proposals that will shape the next phase of the UK’s cryptoasset regulatory framework, signalling a decisive move towards bringing crypto markets closer to traditional financial services standards. Published on 16 December 2025, the consultation forms part of the FCA’s crypto roadmap and aligns with new government legislation laid on 15 December, reinforcing the UK’s ambition to create an open, compet

The Justice Department has announced the seizure of tickmilleas.com , a fraudulent web domain linked to the Tai Chang scam compound in Kyaukhat, Burma. The site posed as a legitimate cryptocurrency investment platform and was used to lure victims into depositing their funds, which were then diverted through sophisticated fraud and money laundering schemes. The action forms part of the accelerating crackdown on cryptocurrency investment fraud, a threat that continues to genera

The Financial Conduct Authority’s decision to accept RegTech platform Eunice into its Regulatory Sandbox marks an important step in strengthening the transparency and integrity of the United Kingdom’s crypto markets. As criminal exploitation of digital assets continues to evolve, the creation of standardised, industry-led disclosure templates represents a significant opportunity to raise market standards and improve investor protection. Eunice’s work with leading crypto firms

The sentencing of Travis Ford, founder and chief executive of Wolf Capital Crypto Trading LLC, underscores the persistent risks posed by high-yield cryptocurrency investment schemes and the growing determination of U S authorities to clamp down on digital-asset fraud. Ford was handed a five-year prison term on 13 November 2025 after admitting to orchestrating a Ponzi-style operation that raised 9.4 million dollars from around 2,800 investors, many of whom were lured by claims

It has been little more than a month since United States President Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the former chief executive of Binance. Zhao, better known as CZ, had pleaded guilty in 2023 to enabling money laundering through the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. He served four months in prison, paid a substantial fine, and agreed to step down as CEO. The case was described by the US Department of Justice as a landmark in crypto enforcement. Yet, during an int

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has today released its annual Report on the convergence of supervisory practices for 2024 across the European Union. The Report highlights the EBA’s sustained efforts to strengthen supervisory alignment among Member States, covering prudential supervision, resolution, consumer protection, digital finance, and—until the end of 2025—anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). This year’s Report marks the first

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published a new report revealing that white labelling – where financial products or services are offered under another company’s brand – is now used by more than a third of banks across the EU. The findings underscore a rapid shift in financial distribution models driven by digitalisation, platformisation, and partnerships between regulated and non-regulated entities. According to the EBA’s 2025 Spring Risk Assessment Questionnaire, 35

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced new plans to support the adoption of tokenisation within the UK asset management industry, signalling a major step forward for financial innovation and operational efficiency. Published on 14 October 2025, the consultation paper CP25/28: Progressing Fund Tokenisation  outlines how tokenisation—the digital representation of assets using distributed ledger technology (DLT)—can transform fund operations, reduce costs, and open

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published a comprehensive report calling on supervisors across the EU to draw lessons from...