Looking for the latest on 2025 AML compliance regulations, fines, deadlines, and step-by-step requirements? This up-to-date guide covers every major jurisdiction, includes a country-by-country cheat sheet, a downloadable report, and the most relevant FAQs reading for legal, compliance, and onboarding teams worldwide.

Table of Contents

• Why Did AML Regulations Tighten in 2025?
• Global AML Framework Overview
• Global Overview and Country-by-Country Rules & Fines 202
• AML Compliance Requirements Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions (2025)
• Download: 2025 AML Compliance Report from our sister company MemberCheck

Why Did AML Regulations Tighten in 2025? 

• Global AML fines rose 42% YoY to US $6.6 billion.
• FinCEN’s Final Beneficial-Ownership Rule becomes law in Jan 2025.
• EU’s 6th AML Directive (6AMLD): Criminal liability for “enablers” and prison terms for officers/directors.
• FATF grey-listed three more jurisdictions (June 2025).
• Market focus: Virtual assets, real-time KYC, and cross-border enforcement.

The past few years have seen a rise in regulatory pressures across the world, together with an increase in the number of high-profile fines and probes. With the laws getting redefined and more stringent every day, the costs of compliance are also considerable. This creates pressure to identify ways to govern AML risks and balance between regulatory compliance and the costs of compliance systems.

As there is so much to cover, we created a guide to the key AML compliance regulations and the organisations that administer them. Links to their official websites give you a head start on your journey to building an AML compliance programme.

The global organisation, FATF, works together with national regulators to develop common minimum programmes for AML compliance. Countries face diverse business environments and challenges. Consequentially, the risks differ across multiple jurisdictions. Such risks are suitably addressed by each country’s regulator with relevant AML regulations and the consequences of non-compliance

Global AML Framework Overview

Body	Key 2025 Update	Who Must Comply
FATF	Guidance on Virtual Assets and Beneficial Owners	200+ member states
EU (EBA/6AMLD)	Risk-factor/PEP rules, criminal liability	EU credit/payment firms
Wolfsberg Group	Correspondent Banking FAQs v4	Global banks and FIs

Global Overview

The Financial Action Task Force [FATF] list of 92 Recommendations are the internationally endorsed global standards against money laundering and terrorist financing. They provide the framework for countries to build an effective system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing and implement necessary measures.

In addition to that, Case-by-case risk-based approach and guidance is laid down for sectors exposed to financial crimes –  Legal Professionals, the Accounting Profession, Trust & Company Service Providers, Virtual Assets and Virtual Assets Providers, Money or Value Transfer Services, the Banking Sector, the Payment Services Sector, the Securities Sector, the Life Insurance Sector, and Nonprofits. To strengthen financial integrity and prevent the use of the system for financial crime, the Recommendations provide for Politically Exposed Persons, Beneficial Ownership, and Financial Sanctions, as part of the regulatory compliance mechanism.

Country-by-Country Rules & Fines 2025

Canada

Scope: All reporting entities, including banks, credit unions, MSBs, prepaid card issuers, fintech and crypto exchanges
2025 Focus: Mandatory FINTRAC registration for prepaid card issuers as well as intensified oversight of virtual assets and cross-border transactions
Deadline: 1 October 2025
Official Guidance: FINTRAC Guidance

Key Takeaway: Stricter registration and CDD for MSBs and crypto and focus on review systems before October 2025.

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada [FINTRAC] has the mandate to detect, prevent and deter money laundering and terrorism financing. A guidance document prescribes the individuals and entities designated as reporting entities and the requirements under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act [PCMLTFA].

United States of America (USA)

• Regulators: FinCEN, OCC, OFAC
• Key 2025 Rule: Beneficial Ownership Info (BOI) must be filed via the new API; no batch CSVs.
• Max Fine: US $2.5 million per violation
• Deadline: File BOI updates within 30 days of changes
• Official Link: FinCEN

Key Takeaway: API adoption is mandatory, as is updating IT systems for batch compliance.

The U.S.A. has a comprehensive framework for monitoring and tackling money laundering, terrorist financing, financial fraud, and sanctions, with inter-agency coordination and surveillance.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network [FinCEN] is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury that collects and analyses information about financial transactions in order to combat domestic and international money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

The Bank Secrecy Act [BSA] of 1970, also known as the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, assists government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency [OCC] guides the risk management framework of financial institutions and oversees compliance.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control [OFAC] is a financial intelligence and enforcement agency of the U.S. Treasury Department. It administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions in line with the national security and foreign policy objectives

France

Scope: Banks, FIs, DNFBPs
2025 Focus: Mandatory e-filing of STRs via secure API; higher penalties up to €100 million or 10% of turnover
Deadline: End of 2025
Official Guidance: TRACFIN Instruction

Key Takeaway: Move to automated, API-based suspicious activity reporting and the manual uploads no longer allowed.

The Intelligence Processing and Action against Clandestine Financial Circuits [TRACFIN] is tasked with analysing and fighting the risks of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. This includes identifying the origin of financial fraud and sharing and acting upon such information.

United Kingdom (GB)

• Regulators: FCA, OPBAS
• 2025 Update: Enhanced due diligence documents must be retained 5 years
• Max Fine: £264 million (2025 case)
• Official Guidance: FCA

Key Takeaway: File retention and reporting standards were raised, furthermore all onboarding staff must be trained. 

The Financial Conduct Authority [FCA] is mandated to regulate the UK’s financial sector and implement measures to combat money laundering and terror financing.

The Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision [OPBAS] is an additional body set up exclusively to strengthen the UK’s AML supervisory regime.

Germany

Scope: Financial institutions, real estate agents, art/precious metals traders
2025 Focus: Real estate agents must perform CDD for transactions ≥ €10,000; lower threshold means much broader coverage
Deadline: Effective July 2025
Official Guidance: BaFin

Key Takeaway: All property transactions above the new threshold require full CDD as well as upgrading  onboarding/checks.

The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority [BaFin] supervises and regulates the banks and financial services sector, insurance, and securities trading for the prevention of financial irregularities and crime.

European Union (E.U.)

• Scope: 27 EU member states; all obliged entities
• 2025 Focus: Directors and compliance officers face prison for non-compliance
• Deadline: 3 December 2025
• Official Guidance: EU Directive

Key Takeaway: “Enablers” are liable, furthermore review of accountability frameworks is a must.

The EU has a comprehensive framework of guidelines, along with a system of periodic review and Directives, that evaluates emerging risks across EU member countries and establishes appropriate regulations.

The compliance framework consists of

• 4th Money Laundering Directive [4MLD]
• 5th Money Laundering Directive [5MLD]
• 6th Money Laundering Directive [6MLD]
• European Banking Authority [EBA]

Russia

Scope: Banks, financial institutions, payment platforms, crypto exchanges, cross-border e-commerce, and all entities subject to Federal Laws No. 115-FZ and 134-FZ
2025 Focus: Mandatory real-time sanctions screening for all digital ruble and cross-border transactions; stricter beneficial ownership disclosure and enhanced due diligence across sectors; increased enforcement attention to non-compliance with local and international sanctions regimes
Deadline: Effective immediately in 2025 for sanctions screening on digital ruble and regulated transactions; ongoing for all other reporting/AML controls
Official Guidance: FFMS

Key Takeaway: Real-time compliance technology is now required and upgrade sanctions screening and beneficial ownership systems to avoid penalties and license risk. Russia’s AML focus in 2025 is proactive monitoring, cross-border data sharing, and regulatory alignment with global standards

The Federal Financial Monitoring Service [FFMS] /Rosfinmonitoring regulates the financial system, implements state policies related to money laundering and terrorist financing, assesses threats to national security arising such activities and develops measures to counter these threats.

China

Scope: Banks, cross-border e-commerce, fintech, payment platforms
2025 Focus: All cross-border e-commerce platforms must verify UBOs for merchants with >50,000 RMB annual sales
Deadline: Q4 2025
Official Guidance: PBOC Circular [2025]

Key Takeaway: AML controls expanded to cover e-commerce and digital payments. Furthermore the new KYC solutions for platforms are a priority.

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission [CBIRC] is an umbrella agency of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) authorised to perform both, supervisory and regulatory functions of business activities in banking and insurance. Its jurisdiction extends across the PRC, except for the territories of Hong Kong and Macau.

Hong Kong

Scope: Banks, virtual asset service providers, payment platforms, remittance agents
2025 Focus: Remote onboarding requires biometric liveness checks; sanctions/PEP screening before any first transaction
Deadline: Q3 2025
Official Guidance: HKMA SPM-AML-5 update

Key Takeaway: Digital onboarding and 24/7 sanctions compliance are now universal expectation. You should review KYC tech urgently.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority [HKMA] is Hong Kong’s central banking an institution that doubles up as the monetary and regulatory authority, working with stakeholders to mitigate money laundering risks.

Japan

Scope: Banks, fintech, payment and prepaid card issuers
2025 Focus: Prepaid card issuers with > JPY 10 million outstanding must register and report annually; expanded scrutiny for non-bank payment companies
Deadline: 1 October 2025
Official Guidance: FSA Administrative Notice 2025-4

Key Takeaway: All prepaid/fintech with significant float must register and start detailed AML submissions.

The Financial Services Agency [FSA] is the government agency and integrated financial regulator responsible for overseeing banking, securities, and insurance sectors to ensure the stability of the financial system of Japan and enforce suitable AML measures.

South Africa

Scope: Banks, financial services, crypto-asset service providers
2025 Focus: Crypto service providers classified as “accountable institutions” under FICA and registration of full AML program required
Deadline: 31 March 2026
Official Guidance: FIC Public Compliance Communication 45
Key Takeaway: Crypto market is now fully regulated, FIC registration and audits are mandatory in 2025–26.

The Financial Intelligence Centre Act [FICA] lays down the basic framework for a strong financial system to accelerate South Africa’s economic development. The role is to curb money laundering, tax evasion, terror financing, financial crimes, and overseeing sanctions.

India

Scope: Banks, NBFIs, online gaming platforms, payment fintech
2025 Focus: Online gaming must verify identity for deposits >₹2,000 using Aadhaar-based KYC; mandatory suspicious activity reporting
Deadline: Already in force (2025)
Official Guidance: PMLA Notification G.S.R. 384

Key Takeaway: Digital KYC for high-value gaming customers is compulsory. There are penalties for non-compliance.

The Financial Intelligence Unit [FIU] safeguards the financial system from the abuse of money laundering, terrorist financing and financial crimes, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act [PMLA], 2002.

Singapore

Scope: Banks, DPT (crypto) service providers, payment firms
2025 Focus: DPT firms must screen all wallet addresses against UN sanctions every 24 hours; upgraded standards for CDD/EDD
Deadline: Q3 2025
Official Guidance: MAS Notice PSN02 (Amendment 2025)

Key Takeaway: Daily sanctions checks is required and not just at onboarding. Equally important is the upgrade of  monitoring systems for all wallet activity.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore [MAS] is Singapore’s central banking institution and umbrella organisation for monitoring and regulating the financial sector while ensuring all compliance requirements are met.

Australia

Scope: All “Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions” (DNFBPs): real estate, lawyers, accountants, trust & company service, precious metals
2025 Focus: Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms expand requirements to DNFBPs; risk assessment, staff training, and program implementation
Deadline: July 2026
Official Guidance: AUSTRAC Tranche 2 Reforms

Key Takeaway: DNFBPs must prepare immediately as well as focusing on compliance programs, registration, and CDD for new sectors before July 2026.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre [AUSTRAC] is an Australian Government agency that uses financial intelligence and regulation to prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, organised crime, tax evasion, and welfare fraud.

New Zealand

Scope: Financial institutions, lawyers, accountants, real estate, virtual asset providers
2025 Focus: Enhanced ongoing CDD, verification of beneficial ownership, increased audit frequency by regulators
Deadline: Ongoing; new guidance issued 2025
Official Guidance: New Zealand AML/CFT

Key Takeaway: Continuous improvement in CDD and record-keeping furthermore expect more frequent audits and enforcement in 2025.

The New Zealand Financial Intelligence Unit [NZFIU] collects, analyses and disseminates financial intelligence relating to suspicious transactions/activities, money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

AML Compliance Requirements Checklist

1. Risk Assessment
   1. Map business lines, customer base, and country exposures.
   2. Assign risk scores and document key findings.
2. Customer Onboarding & KYC
   1. Deploy ID verification, PEP/sanctions screening workflows.
   2. Automate onboarding for low/medium risk, flag high-risk for manual review.
3. Transaction Monitoring & Screening
   1. Set triggers: daily for high-risk, monthly for low/med.
   2. Integrate with real-time sanctions/alert feeds.
4. Records Retention
   1. Country-specific: e.g., UK/EU (5 years), US (5 years BOI), APAC (vary)
   2. Store audit trails, CDD/EDD docs, suspicious matter reports.
5. Independent Audit & Policy Update
   1. Schedule annual external/internal audits.
   2. Update policies for new laws (track deadlines in table).

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Who is covered by new 2025 AML regulations?
A: Any institution in finance, gaming, real estate, crypto, or legal/accounting sectors is likely covered; see local laws for details.

Q: What is EU’s 6AMLD deadline?
A: All member states must implement by 3 December 2025.

Q: How often must customers be re-screened?
A: Daily for high risk, monthly for medium, quarterly for low—per FATF Rec. 10.

Q: Are “enablers” liable for clients’ actions?
A: Yes, compliance officers and directors now face direct liability in several jurisdictions (see EU/UK).

Q: Are crypto providers newly regulated?
A: Yes, across APAC, Africa, and EU, with varying registration/reporting deadlines.

Q: What is the max AML fine in 2025?
A: Up to $2.5 million/violation US, €100m France, similar across G7.

2025 AML Compliance Report

Stay ahead of evolving regulatory risks with the latest insights, download the comprehensive 2025 AML Compliance Report from our sister company MemberCheck. This report delivers in-depth analysis of global financial crime trends, up-to-date AML/CTF obligations, and actionable guidance tailored for compliance teams. Accessing the MemberCheck report equips your organisation with practical strategies to strengthen due diligence, enhance ongoing monitoring, and stay compliant with new enforcement priorities across key jurisdictions.
Download the 2025 AML Compliance Report from MemberCheck

If you are you looking for an AML compliance service to assist you, head to NameScan for solutions. We help businesses worldwide comply with AML regulation.