In remarks on financial integrity and innovation in Europe, Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Chair Szego argued that effective safeguards build the trust needed for new technologies and markets to gain adoption and scale. Technology is also increasingly necessary to identify and address financial crime risks. Szego said harmonized rules support innovation by providing stable markets, legal certainty and a level playing field, while an effective framework must adapt as new technologies emerge. She cited the integration of crypto-assets into the regulatory framework through the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation and the new anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism package. For the Western Balkans, she emphasized closer regional cooperation to reduce gaps between national systems.