Estonia to Enforce New AML Rules Affecting Crypto

Estonia is preparing to enforce a set of new anti-money laundering rules that will stiffen requirements for crypto companies operating under Estonian license. The changes come amid concerns that Russia may use crypto to evade western sanctions and an ongoing audit of the Baltic nation's AML policies.

Estonia, whose banking sector has in the past been implicated in the processing of billions for suspicious Russian clients, is now taking steps to close the loopholes that could allow Russia, its elites, and allied Belarus to evade sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine.

Next Tuesday, the country's amended Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act will enter into force, introducing stringent standards. Crypto companies are going to bear the brunt of Estonia's war against dirty money, Politico notes in a report.

The update will make the Estonian regulatory regime for platforms operating with digital assets even stricter than the upcoming EU rules. The framework adopted in 2017 was considered too loose as it allowed hundreds of businesses, many based elsewhere, to obtain licensing from Estonia.

Minister of Finance Keit Pentus-Rosimannus insisted that Estonia welcomes innovation but emphasized that it will not tolerate financial crime and will uphold the prevention of money laundering as a priority.

Source: Bitcoin.com