Tag: financial intelligence unit

G7 Bank Sector Higher Money Laundering Risk than Crypto Industry, Reports Mexico Financial Intelligence

According to an official report released by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Mexico, the G7 banking sector comprising of major banks Santander, BBVA, Citibanamex, Banorte, HSBC, Scotiabank, and Inbursa—was the most prone to money laundering operations, despite being the most regulated. 

Who is most at risk of money laundering?

Banks connected to exchange activity were also as highly ranked in terms of money laundering schemes. The report, which depicted the results of the second National Risk Assessment (NRA), discussed money laundering and terrorist financing. It detailed that there were four sectors within the financial industry that were most at risk of money laundering illicit activities. 

The four categories were G7 banking, brokerage houses, exchange houses, and multiple banking institutions with commercial operations, as shared by El Economista. Among the four sectors outlined, the one with the highest risk of fraudulent activity was the G7 banking sector, which translated to approximately 80% of the banking sector’s assets. 

The report by the FIU of Mexico also separated risk levels for money laundering and terrorist funding into four categories, depending on the magnitude of fraud – low, medium, medium-high, and high risk. The most regulated finance sector, the “G7 banking group,” ranked among the highest risk for money laundering. 

Crypto scams easier to track than fiat

Though there appears to be increasing skepticism that fintech and crypto industries are always leveraged for money laundering schemes and monetary scams, the two sectors were surpassed by the traditional banking sector in terms of money laundering risk. The 2020 Financial Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit report did not allocate a risk classification for the fintech industry. 

During an ongoing panel hosted by the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists in August, Paxful Chief Compliance Officer Lana Schwartzmann mentioned that there are advantages to adopting cryptocurrency in a traditional fiat world. She referenced the infamous Twitter Bitcoin hack and stated that due to the digital trail left by crypto, digital assets fraud is easier to track than fiat. Had it been a traditional money heist, the investigation would not have been resolved as quickly.  

Twitter Bitcoin heist

The Twitter Bitcoin (BTC) hack, which held the media spotlight in July, revolved around the narrative of three men who overtook Twitter by storm and generated over $100,000 worth of Bitcoin funds by hacking the accounts of world-known figures such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Kanye West, Joe Biden and more. 

South Korea Intensifies Measures Against Unlicensed Crypto Exchanges

South Korean financial officials issued a directive on December 4, 2023, requesting users to report any unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the area. This directive was made in an effort to control the market. This approach is a reflection of South Korea’s continuous attempts to simplify its digital asset market and protect investors from the possible hazards connected with virtual asset exchanges that are not regulated.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of South Korea, in conjunction with the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA), was the driving force behind this effort. A crucial part of the regulatory system is played by the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA), which is comprised of the five most important digital asset exchanges in South Korea: Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax. Within the scope of their combined efforts, they want to identify local as well as international virtual asset company operators who may be targeting Korean people, which might be considered a violation of Article 7 of the Specific Financial Information Act.

DAXA is the organization that first investigates reports of illicit business operations carried out by bitcoin exchanges. After the results have been compiled, they are sent to the FIU, which is responsible for determining the operator’s status and deciding what steps are required. If it is discovered that operators are continuing their operations that have not been disclosed, the Federal Investigation Unit intends to involve investigative authorities and take the necessary actions. The public is strongly urged to report these businesses using the tip email provided by DAXA. The information that is sent should include pertinent corporate information, grounds for suspicion, and proof of actions that have not been reported.

South Korea is making a wider push to boost its engagement in the cryptocurrency business, and this new development is a part of that larger endeavor. As part of an effort to promote openness, the Democratic Party of South Korea has demanded that candidates for parliamentary seats reveal their personal cryptocurrency holdings. In addition, the South Korean Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) made an announcement in October that it was making preparations for laws that would augment the Virtual Asset Users Protection Act that had been approved earlier in 2023. It is anticipated that these laws will be in effect by January 2024, which will represent a major milestone in the manner in which the nation approaches the regulation of cryptocurrencies.

In order to show its dedication to the development of a secure and regulated digital asset market, South Korea has taken a position on the regulation of cryptocurrencies. The nation’s goal is to safeguard investors and preserve the integrity of its financial system at the same time by carefully monitoring and taking action against cryptocurrency exchanges that do not have legitimate licenses.

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