AML Crackdown Overtakes SEC Securities Cases as Top Crypto Risk, CertiK Finds
CertiK reports that anti-money laundering enforcement has surpassed securities classification as the primary regulatory risk for crypto firms.Summary
According to CertiK’s Skynet State of Digital Asset Regulations Report, anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement has become the leading regulatory risk for digital asset firms, surpassing concerns regarding securities classification. In the first half of 2025, AML-related fines exceeded $900 million, while U.S. SEC crypto penalties saw a significant 97% decrease as enforcement priorities shifted toward the DOJ and FinCEN.
Major settlements, including OKX paying $504 million and KuCoin resolving charges for $297 million, highlight this shift. Globally, European AML fines surged by 767%, while SEC penalties dropped sharply. This indicates a regulatory transition where focus has moved from debating token classification to enforcing strict compliance, such as transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and smart contract audits, which are becoming mandatory in several major jurisdictions.
(Source：BeInCrypto)