The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has issued draft amendments to its anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing rules for consultation, extending the framework to proliferation financing and aligning it with the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, 2018, and updated Financial Action Task Force methodology. The proposals apply to all persons regulated under the Securities Industry Act, 2024, and continue the jurisdiction’s broader efforts to identify and mitigate money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation risks across financial services. The amendments would require immediate implementation of targeted financial sanctions, including freezing designated persons’ funds without prior notice and notifying the attorney general and Financial Intelligence Unit. They would also strengthen risk assessments, periodic reviews of existing customers, enhanced due diligence and controls for politically exposed persons. Simplified due diligence would be permitted for lower-risk clients, subject to the commission’s approval and prohibited where identified risks are suspected. Further changes address cross-border risks and digital asset controls, including travel rule compliance, self-hosted wallets, blockchain monitoring, outsourcing and third-party technology providers.
2026-08-10Bahamas Securities Commission
Securities Commission of The Bahamas launches consultation on expanded financial crime and targeted sanctions rules
The Securities Commission of The Bahamas is consulting on expanded financial crime rules for all persons regulated under the Securities Industry Act, 2024. The proposals add proliferation financing and targeted sanctions requirements while strengthening risk assessments, customer due diligence and politically exposed person controls. They also address digital asset risks including travel rule compliance, self-hosted wallets and blockchain monitoring.