NEWS: Customs officials in Hong Kong bust HK$400M (€50.9M) money laundering syndicate

Regulatory Watch News

• 

  FCA opens the gateway to regulated crypto

  Financial Conduct Authority

  October 1, 2026

   

  For the first time, crypto firms operating in the UK will be brought into full FCA regulation, with clear standards covering consumer protection, safeguarding, market integrity and financial resilience. This is a significant milestone, not just for the industry, but it signals to those who invest in crypto that the UK is serious in giving them protections they have never had before. It also gives the sector clarity and legitimacy that comes with a proper regulatory framework.

• 

  New general trade licences published under the Russia sanctions regime

  OFSI

  October 1, 2026

  Today, the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) has published two general trade licences under the Russia sanctions regime.  

  The licences relate to UK involvement in the maritime transportation of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to Japan and South Korea under specific, pre-existing contractual arrangements.  

  Supporting diversification away from Russian energy strengthens long-term pressure on Russia’s energy sector. Japan and South Korea are close partners and important contributors to international support for Ukraine. 

• 

  Croatia: Four arrested on suspicion of defrauding funds for earthquake repairs

  European Public Prosecutor's Office

  October 1, 2026

  Luxembourg, 1 October 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has initiated an investigation against four individuals suspected of subsidy fraud. The four suspects were arrested yesterday at the request of the EPPO, while other investigative activities were conducted in cooperation with the Zagreb Police Department. The investigation revealed that the suspects, in their roles of company owners, wanted to illegally obtain approximately €685 000 in non-refundable support, co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), to restore agricultural land and production potential damaged by an earthquake that had struck the Sisak area on 29 December 2020.