The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) published an update setting out its expectation that firms engaging in crypto-asset activities have strong anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) protections, with crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) featuring prominently in its 2025 Work Programme following the start of its powers and responsibilities on 1 July 2025. AMLA highlights that CASPs face significant money laundering and terrorist financing risks linked to technological features, cross-border operations and anonymity-enhancing capabilities. With the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in effect and requiring CASPs to obtain a MiCA licence, AMLA expects the number of licensed CASPs to increase considerably. While initial licensing and supervision remain with national competent authorities (NCAs) under MiCA and the European AML framework, AMLA flags the risk of divergent application and expects licensing and supervisory authorities to ensure CASPs have effective AML/CFT systems in place from day one. Coordination work with NCAs and other European authorities is set to include plans to promote high AML/CFT standards, alongside joint financial intelligence analyses covering crypto-asset typologies and emerging cross-border risks.

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