EU AML regulator to start vetting owners and shareholders of crypto firms

The rules will come into full force from July 2027

EU authorities will start conducting AML verification of crypto firm owners

17.07.2025 - 11:35

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3 min

What’s new? The European Union’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) has issued a call to regulators in the bloc’s member states, as well as crypto firms such as exchanges, custodial wallet operators, and crypto ATMs. AMLA chairman Bruna Szego said it was important to ensure that the bloc is “adequately protected from the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing stemming from this sector.”

Material by FT

What else is known? The organization, based in Frankfurt and launched earlier this month, is responsible for ensuring that the 27 EU countries comply with a new comprehensive package of anti-money laundering rules.

In an interview with FT, Szego explained that regulators will have to assess the beneficial owners of crypto firms, including shareholders and their location:

“We need to be sure the owners are not involved in money laundering or terrorism finance.”

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Szego also pointed to some AML risks specific to Europe’s “fragmented” crypto market, where multiple companies are struggling to gain approval under the EU-wide Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, including differences in how national regulators apply the rules.

Under the new European AML regulations, crypto service providers are prohibited from providing or interacting with anonymous wallets and confidential coins. Crypto firms will also be required to provide regulators with direct and full access to account data.

These rules will go into full effect from July 2027.

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In early July, Hungary passed a crypto regulation law that provides for jail terms for operators of unlicensed crypto exchanges and traders who transact on them. Industry representatives noted that the penalties are much harsher than provided for under MiCA.

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