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The new framework signals a high-barrier, high-discretion regime that could narrow the market to a handful of systemic players that can respond to shifting regulatory demands, leaving smaller banks on the sidelines.

The end of a key consultation period means the modernisation of crypto and digital assets regulation continues to advance, but strict rules could inadvertently disadvantage local start-ups and lead to capital flight and consolidation.

The new proposed rulemakings aim to force a shift from static policy design to real-time operational maintenance, requiring firms to prove that their compliance frameworks actually stop illicit activity rather than just documenting it.

The New Zealand Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has released the AML levy proposal outlining its plans to impose a charge on anti-money laundering (AML) reporting entities to fund the establishment and running of a standalone AML regulator for the country. While the AML Amendment Bill and the AML Supervisor and Levy Bill, which form the legal basis for this proposal, have yet to be passed in parliament, the levy’s stated implementation date of July 2027 could mean a costly recurring bill for AML reporting entities from next year.

The industry body has called for new regulations that would impose strengthened fraud prevention standards across social media, online marketplace and instant messaging platforms operating in the UK.

Changes to the rules on merchant card fees in Australia aim to introduce greater transparency and spur competition, and will contribute to the shifting landscape as alternative payment methods expand the variety of options.

In March 2026, Maine became the latest in a growing number of states to adopt legislation regulating virtual currency kiosks (crypto ATMs) in the US. Maine's law builds on emergency legislation adopted by the state in June 2025, regulating virtual currency kiosks within the state’s money transmission framework and providing additional consumer protections specific to kiosks. Elsewhere, legislation to regulate crypto kiosks and implement consumer protection measures is, at the time of writing, awaiting the governor’s signature in Florida, Kansas, and Virginia. The legislation reflects a regulatory pattern emerging across the US. States are beginning to converge on a common regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosks, addressing consumer protection concerns and fraud risks through comprehensive legislation, plugging a gap left by federal supervision, which has remained primarily focused on anti-money laundering (AML) oversight.

2025 regulatory activity in Europe was defined more by the weight of implementation than the adoption of new regulation. As the industry grappled with the operational realities of implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (Markets in Crypto-Assets - MiCA) and Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (Digital Operational Resilience Act - DORA), a deceptively calm period transpired as the long and varied path to implementation began. For financial institutions, however, 2026 will be about more than just managing the regulatory load as Europe moves into another adoption phase. It will also require building capabilities to deal with diverging geopolitical paths and technological shifts. It will be about surviving and thriving during a period of intense adjustment where compliance is no longer a back-office function, but a core strategic pillar.

The intergovernmental organisation advocates strengthening legal frameworks and boosting information sharing to address artificial intelligence (AI)-driven fraud, in response to rapid increases in both the volume and sophistication of criminal activity.

This Outlook examines how organisations can respond to the rapid and fundamental changes to anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) frameworks anticipated in key jurisdictions around the world.