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Practical guidance for MSBs, PSPs, fintechs and VASPs navigating AML and financial-crime regulation across Canada, the UK, the UAE and the US, from the people who build and defend compliance programs for a living.

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Regulatory updates

FINMA's Revised AML Ordinance (AMLO-FINMA) From 1 January 2027: What Swiss Financial Institutions Must Prepare

FINMA published the final partially revised AMLO-FINMA on 10 November 2026, effective 1 January 2027. See what is new versus existing practice, which institutions are affected, the VSB 27 and SRO-SVV transitions, and a gap-analysis checklist.

November 13, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

Deepfake Identity Fraud in U.S. Financial Institutions: FinCEN Red Flags, KYC Controls and SAR Reporting

What FinCEN's FIN-2024-Alert004 on deepfake media means for U.S. banks, fintechs, money transmitters and crypto businesses: the red flags, onboarding and KYC controls, and how to file the SAR key term.

November 12, 2026
10 min read
Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Eight Canadian Money Services Businesses Over Iran Links: What U.S. and Canadian Firms Must Check

OFAC designated eight Canadian MSBs under its Iran program on Nov. 6, 2026. SDN details, U.S. blocking and reporting duties, and what Canadian MSBs should check.

November 10, 2026
9 min read
Regulatory updates

FinCEN Cuts Off MEXC Global: What Section 9714 Means for U.S. Crypto Firms and Money Transmitters

FinCEN's Section 9714 order bars covered U.S. institutions from transmitting funds to or from MEXC Global from Dec. 10, 2026. What it means and what to review.

November 10, 2026
9 min read
Regulatory updates

Bank of Canada RPAA enforcement: the record so far and what changes in 2027

What the Bank of Canada's first RPAA enforcement actions show, how serious and very serious violations are penalized, and why late 2027 annual reports carry more risk.

November 6, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

Is a payment facilitator holding funds under the RPAA? Next-day and weekly settlement

What Bank of Canada staff said about payment facilitators settling immediately, next day or weekly, and the safeguarding duties that apply once funds are held.

November 5, 2026
9 min read
Regulatory updates

RPAA assessment fees in 2027: what PSPs should expect from Bank of Canada cost recovery

RPAA assessment fees are expected from 2027 but are not final. What the law says, the billing timeline Bank staff described, and how PSPs can prepare.

November 4, 2026
9 min read
Regulatory updates

Bank of Canada RPAA supervision findings: operational risk gaps and assessment readiness

The operational risk gaps the Bank of Canada found in year one of RPAA supervision, what staff said on testing and incident reporting, and how to prepare for an assessment.

November 4, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

RPAA change of control and key-person changes: notice or approval?

An acquisition of control needs re-registration before closing. A new director needs only a notice. The RPAA filings, deadlines and penalties for each change.

November 2, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

PSP registration refused or revoked? How Bank of Canada review and appeal work

What to do when the Bank of Canada refuses or moves to revoke a PSP registration under the RPAA: review deadlines, who decides, what is published and how to appeal.

November 2, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

AI risk under the RPAA: what the Bank of Canada expects from PSPs

No AI-specific RPAA rules exist. How shadow AI, prompt injection, agent permissions, provider concentration and AI fraud fit the duties PSPs already have.

November 2, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

82 Revocations: How MSBs Are Losing Their FINTRAC Registration

FINTRAC revoked 82 MSB registrations in 2025-26, up from 12 the year before, and linked the rise to unanswered clarification requests and information demands. Learn the legal grounds, how revocation differs from expiry, and six controls that protect your registration.

October 27, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

$247M in a Year: What FINTRAC's Record Penalties Mean for MSBs

FINTRAC's 2025–26 annual report shows a record $247M+ in penalties across 35 notices, with $198M+ issued to MSBs. This article covers how a few large crypto cases drove the total, which failures recur, and six evidence checks for MSBs.

October 26, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

Canada's Stablecoin Act 2026: What the New Proposed Regulations Mean for Issuers and PSPs

Canada published proposed Stablecoin Regulations on 24 October 2026. They are not yet in force, with fall 2027 targeted. See the proposed issuer registration, reserve, custody, redemption, reporting, fee and penalty rules, and how RPAA amendments would affect stablecoin payment providers.

October 25, 2026
10 min read
Registration

Canadian MSB Registration for UAE and Indian Founders: What Is Actually Required?

UAE and Indian founders can often register a Canadian MSB without relocating, but the route depends on the entity and its activities. Learn the MSB vs FMSB test, director residency rules, criminal record checks, required documents and home-country considerations.

October 23, 2026
10 min read
Registration

Buy a Ready-Made MSB vs Register a New MSB in Canada: Which Route Makes Sense?

Should you buy a FINTRAC-registered MSB or register a new one? Compare what you acquire, launch dependencies, total cost, inherited risk, control and banking, then use a scenario-based framework to choose the route that fits your business.

October 23, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

Ontario vs. B.C. MSB Registration: Which Province Is Best for Your Crypto Startup?

Ontario and British Columbia share federal FINTRAC requirements, but B.C. has enacted a provincial MSB law that is not yet in force. Compare today's crypto compliance obligations, securities oversight, future regulatory considerations and practical province-selection criteria.

October 22, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

FinCEN Withdraws Two Crypto AML Rule Proposals in October 2026: What Still Applies?

FinCEN withdrew its 2020 unhosted wallet proposal and its 2023 Section 311 crypto mixing proposal, effective October 6, 2026. Neither was ever binding. See which BSA, SAR, Travel Rule and OFAC obligations still apply, and what to review in your policies.

October 21, 2026
13 min read
Regulatory updates

FINMA video and online identification rules 2026: what changed on 1 November

FINMA's partially revised Circular 2016/7 took effect on 1 November 2026. Learn what changed for QR-coded documents, liveness detection, residence verification and e-ID onboarding, which processes get the one-year transition, and what to ask identification vendors.

October 20, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

Swiss Transparency Register 2026: Who Must Register, Filing Deadlines & Compliance Checklist

Switzerland's Transparency Register opened on 1 October 2026. Learn which entities must report, how audit status and SHAB publications set your filing deadline, how to trace beneficial owners under the Swiss control rules, and what to prepare.

October 19, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

Preparing a Bank of Canada PSP Application: The Documents Reviewers Actually Ask About

A practical Bank of Canada PSP application document checklist covering required uploads, ownership disclosures, payment flows, safeguarding and PSP Connect amendments.

October 18, 2026
30 min read
Registration

Canadian MSB and PSP Registration for Foreign Companies (EU, UK and UAE)

Payment and remittance firms licensed in Lithuania, Cyprus, the UK or the UAE often want Canadian customers next. Their home licence does not cover Canada. This guide explains the two Canadian registrations involved, the FMSB route, and how to choose between registering from abroad and setting up a Canadian company.

October 16, 2026
7 min read
Regulatory updates

FINTRAC Representative for Service: FMSB Appointment, Registration and Change Forms

A practical FMSB guide to appointing a Canadian representative for service, using FINTRAC forms, handling notices and reporting changes within 30 days.

October 15, 2026
10 min read
Regulatory updates

KYB on EU Crypto & Payment Entities: Reviewing Estonian OÃœs, Czech s.r.o.s and Offshore Holding Structures

Practical KYB guide to verifying Estonian and Czech crypto and payment entities, MiCA authorization, offshore ownership and risk-based onboarding decisions.

October 15, 2026
10 min read
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