United Kingdom: Money Laundering

The UK government's new Anti-money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy for 2026-2029 proposes bringing property developers within the scope of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, addressing a regulatory gap that has allowed some developers to operate outside AML requirements. A consultation launching in 2026/2027 will examine whether all property developers should face the same compliance obligations, with potential implementation as early as 2028/2029.

The UK government has published its first anti-money laundering strategy, signaling a potential regulatory shift that could bring professional football clubs and players' agents under formal AML supervision for the first time. With the 2025 National Risk Assessment identifying football's £6 billion turnover as an attractive target for illicit finance, and the EU already moving to regulate the sector from 2029...

The Westminster Magistrates' Court has extended an account freezing order over £10 million received by the Premier League from NFT fantasy football operator Sorare, following criminal charges against Sorare for allegedly operating unlicensed gambling facilities. This case highlights critical issues around counterparty due diligence and the risks businesses face under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, particularly when commercial partners become subject to regulatory enforcement action. The court's decisi

The UK's National Crime Agency has reached a settlement agreement with ENEX Premium Trading Limited regarding allegations of money laundering and sanctions evasion connected to the shipment of stolen Ukrainian grain.

TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited has self-reported potential sanctions breaches to UK and Irish regulators, including the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and the Central Bank of Ireland.

The Court of Appeal considered, in the first appeal of its kind, the tipping off offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act ("POCA"), confirming that a transaction-specific enquiry may trigger liability even in the context of an investigation which is in the public domain, and actual prejudice need not be proved.

This comprehensive monthly bulletin tracks the latest regulatory developments across UK, EU, and US financial services sectors, covering everything from motor finance compensation schemes...

The UK’s National Crime Agency has published a press release confirming that it has charged John Michael Ormerod with two counts of breaches the UK’s Russian sanctions as well...

On 30 April 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) published a policy statement (“PS26/7”), setting out rules and guidance to support the adoption of fund tokenisation in the UK.