As the crypto industry matures, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance is becoming more complex – and more critical – than ever. In the United States, a new wave of regulatory developments is reshaping the digital asset landscape. But these aren’t isolated events. Together, they are redefining how crypto businesses operate, how financial crime risks are managed, and what regulators expect from the industry moving forward. Below, we break down the most recent U.S. regulatory updates and explore their implications for AML compliance in crypto.
Trump’s Executive Order on Digital Assets
Issued: January 23, 2025
This executive order aims to reassert U.S. leadership in digital finance. Key provisions include:
- The formation of a Digital Asset Markets Working Group
- A federal push to promote stablecoin innovation
- A full ban on the development, issuance, or promotion of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
By shifting momentum toward privately developed stablecoins and banning CBDCs, the order increases the complexity of monitoring decentralised financial flows. Without central oversight, the risk of illicit finance grows, making it vital for stablecoin issuers and related platforms to enhance AML protocols and transaction monitoring capabilities.
Suspension of Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Announced: March 2, 2025
The U.S. Treasury has temporarily suspended enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements for U.S. incorporated entities. This suspension reduces the regulatory burden for reporting companies but comes at a cost to financial transparency. With fewer obligations to collect and verify beneficial ownership data, financial institutions and virtual asset service providers may find it harder to identify the true owners of legal entities – an area frequently exploited for money laundering and shell company abuse.
SEC Enforcement Shift and New Crypto Task Force
Announced: March 25, 2025
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under new leadership, is revisiting how securities laws apply to digital assets. The agency has paused several high-profile enforcement actions and introduced a new Crypto Task Force to realign its approach. While this could foster innovation, the relaxed enforcement climate may lead some platforms to deprioritise compliance. A lighter regulatory touch from the SEC might reduce immediate pressure to adopt robust AML frameworks, increasing the sector’s exposure to financial crime risk.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Created
Announced: March 6, 2025
In a move that surprised many, an executive order was signed to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The goal is to centralise and manage cryptocurrency assets seized in criminal investigations, treating them as strategic national assets. This decision reflects a growing governmental acceptance of crypto’s role in the financial system. However, normalising state-held crypto reserves underscores the need to strengthen compliance expectations. Without reinforcing AML measures, this move could inadvertently dilute the compliance culture among digital asset businesses.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?
These developments suggest that U.S. regulators are actively shaping the future of digital finance – but not always in the same direction. From enhancing innovation to scaling back transparency, the regulatory environment is full of contrasts. For crypto businesses, this means staying agile and proactive.
Strong AML frameworks will be more important than ever. Whether it’s responding to reduced transparency requirements or navigating a decentralised finance-first ecosystem, companies that prioritise compliance will be best positioned to build trust and scale responsibly. Is your crypto compliance strategy ready for what’s next?
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