Regulatory Watch News

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  Italy: EPPO freezes textile products worth €11 million in ongoing investigation into smuggling of fabric from China

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  June 30, 2026

  (Luxembourg, 30 June 2026) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bologna (Italy), the Judge for Preliminary Investigations in Prato has issued a freezing order covering over 7.8 million metres of fabric and more than 237 000 garments, as part of an ongoing investigation into a VAT and customs fraud involving the smuggling of textile products from China. As previously reported, the goods, with an estimated market value of approximately €11 million, had been seized as evidence during searches carried out in warehouses in Prato. Following further investigative activities, the EPPO established the exact quantity and value of the seized products, as well as the amount of customs duties and import VAT allegedly evaded. On this basis, the court ordered their preventive freezing, with a view to their possible confiscation and sale by public auction

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  EVENT: Launching the FATF’s Roadmap 26-28 on Combatting Fraud

  FATF

  June 30, 2026

  On 1 July, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will bring together key partners and stakeholders to officially launch its 2026-2028 Roadmap on Combatting Fraud. Fraud is one of the most pervasive and damaging financial crimes affecting individuals, businesses, and the integrity of financial systems worldwide, so tackling the fraud epidemic is one of the FATF’s key strategic priorities under the incoming UK 2026-2028 Presidency.  The virtual event, taking place on the first day of the UK Presidency, will bring together members of the FATF Global Network, FATF observers, and other stakeholders and partners to shape the FATF’s response to the global fraud epidemic.

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  FCA sets landmark crypto rules to cement the UK’s place as a global hub

  Financial Conduct Authority

  June 30, 2026

  All firms must meet financial resilience requirements including capital and stress testing. The FCA is also introducing new market integrity rules covering areas such as insider trading and market manipulation. The new framework also sets out specific rules for stablecoins, a type of cryptoasset designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being linked to a currency such as the pound. Stablecoins will be subject to clear, strong and transparent standards, helping to build trust in how they are used over time. Following consultation, the FCA has simplified key elements of the regime to make it more workable in practice including simpler capital requirements for stablecoin firms and tailoring trading rules to better reflect how crypto markets operate.