Oversight Agency | Certain Risk

FinCEN to Delete Ownership Info on U.S. Companies from CTA Registry

FinCEN Files investigation revealed how U.S. banks helped move illicit money worldwide, U.S. authorities are rolling back key reforms enacted in its aftermath, sparking alarm among transparency advocates.

Iranian cleric Ali Khamenei. — Khamenei.ir. (2025, March 19). Nowruz message on the occasion of the beginning of the year 1404. Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY 4.0

OFAC Takes Aim at Financial Facilitators Aiding Iran’s Military

OFAC sanctioned two Iranian financial facilitators and more than a dozen individuals and entities based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates for moving funds that allegedly benefited Iran’s military.

France Weighs Blocking Some ‘Passported’ Licenses for Crypto Firms

France has warned it may challenge the right of some crypto companies licensed elsewhere in the European Union to operate domestically, stepping up pressure for stricter oversight of the industry.

Yvette Cooper speaking at a press conference — Day 1: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at Home Office (Photo by UK Home Office, 2024) [Photograph]. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons

UK Sanctions Target Russia’s Shadow Fleet and Weapons Programs

The United Kingdom imposed a new package of 100 sanctions aimed at curbing Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its war against Ukraine.

US Senator John Thune behind a podium at a press conference. — John Thune. Photo by the U.S. Senate, taken in 2024. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons

GOP Senators Signal Greater Support for New Russia Sanctions

Republican lawmakers are intensifying calls for President Donald Trump to impose sweeping sanctions on Moscow following the recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace.

Pemex gas station — Case, D. (2015, July 20). Pemex station near Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica, Mexico City [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY‑SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons, edited

Mexico Launches Crackdown on Cross-Border Fuel Theft

Mexico’s attorney general has vowed to issue more arrest warrants—potentially targeting government officials—in connection with sprawling fuel theft operations that siphon billions of dollars from the country.

US Capitol building with the flag of the United States of America flying.

Republican Lawmaker Calls for Investigation of Chinese Bitcoin Mining Firms

A Republican lawmaker is urging the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate two Chinese firms tied to the booming Bitcoin mining industry.

US Securities and Exchange Commission office building. — Image: Flickr, “U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,” photo by arsheffield, edited

SEC Closes Swedbank AML Inquiry without Penalty

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has officially closed its 6-year investigation into Swedbank’s anti-money laundering (AML) efforts without imposing an enforcement action.

Hacker performing a network port scan on a laptop.

OFAC Blacklists Cyber Scammers in Southeast Asia

The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday blacklisted 19 entities linked to large cyber-scam compounds in Southeast Asia that have targeted Americans in romance and cryptocurrency-investment swindles.

Aleksander Zelekson sitting in a corner next to an old television. A cat is sitting on top of the television. — Rob Hornstra, “Aleksander Zelekson, Nizhny Novgorod (2007),” cropped and edited from the original, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Censored and Sanctioned, Russian Television Plays American Hit Shows

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Russians continue to seek respite from the conflict by turning to movie and TV streaming services, including at least one that is showing HBO hit shows.