Special Edition: FATF 2025 Plenary Highlights & Strategic Shifts
In this special Thanksgiving edition of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne break from tradition to spotlight the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its three 2025 plenaries. They explore key developments, including updates to FATF standards, mutual evaluations, financial inclusion initiatives, and the evolving global stance on virtual assets. The episode also covers jurisdictional changes in monitoring status, new guidance on asset recovery, and FATF’s forward-looking Horizon Scan addressing emerging tech threats like generative AI and deepfakes. Tune in for a comprehensive overview of FATF’s strategic direction and its impact on the global AML landscape.
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12:38
What Cryptos Are Focusing On In 2026
In this episode of AML Conversations, Joe McNamara speaks with David Lutz, Associate Director of the AML RightSource Financial Crime Advisory group about the evolving Crypto landscape, recent milestones in the space, and how recent legislation has opened the door to further legitimacy and regulation. The cryptocurrency industry is experiencing its fintech moment - trading the freedom of the Wild West for legitimacy in the regulated financial system. With the GENIUS Act establishing the first federal framework for stablecoins and new EU travel rule requirements taking effect in 2026, crypto exchanges must now meet higher AML standards that align with the expectations of traditional banking partners.
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19:51
Unintended Consequences: How AML Standards Impact Nonprofits and Financial Inclusion
In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne speaks with Thalia Malmberg and Sangeeta Goswami from the Human Security Collective about the ripple effects of global AML/CFT frameworks on nonprofit organizations. The discussion explores FATF Recommendation 8, recent revisions aimed at reducing harm, and the challenges of striking a balance between security and financial inclusion. Learn why unintended consequences matter, how they affect humanitarian efforts worldwide, and what financial institutions can do to foster risk-based approaches without stifling legitimate charitable work.
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31:57
FATF Insights, Sanctions Gaps, and Emerging Risk
In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide range of pressing financial crime topics. They discuss FATF’s latest report on combating online child exploitation, the UK’s Economic Crime Survey findings on sanctions awareness and fraud, and updates from FinCEN on cartel-linked gambling establishments. Other highlights include enforcement actions against elder fraud, tariff evasion prosecutions, and regulatory changes at the Federal Reserve. Tune in for expert analysis and actionable insights for compliance professionals.
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14:28
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14:28
Sanctions in Flux: Dan Tannebaum on Global Enforcement, Evasion, and What’s Next
In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne sits down with Dan Tannebaum, Partner at Oliver Wyman and global leader in anti-financial crime, for a wide-ranging discussion on the evolving landscape of sanctions. From the EU’s post-Ukraine enforcement challenges to the U.S.'s shifting approach under different administrations, Dan offers sharp insights into the effectiveness, limitations, and unintended consequences of sanctions as a policy tool.
They explore:
Key differences between U.S. and EU sanctions regimes
The impact of sanctions on Russia, Syria, Cuba, and Venezuela
The growing complexity of sanctions evasion tactics
How AML professionals can stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment
The future of sanctions as a tool of economic statecraft
Whether you're a seasoned compliance officer or new to the field, this episode offers practical takeaways and a candid examination of the geopolitical forces shaping financial crime risk today.
AML Conversations is dedicated to inform professionals and those interested in anti-money laundering about conversations happening in the government, private sector, and internationally. Throughout the series John Byrne, AML RightSource Vice Chairman, will interview industry experts or participate in live programming or panel discussions related to the industry.