AML enforcement emerges as crypto’s top regulatory risk

CertiK reports AML enforcement is now crypto’s top regulatory risk, with over $900M in fines in early 2025 and SEC penalties down 97%. Compliance costs and global regulatory pressure are rising sharply.

CertiK’s latest reports highlight a significant shift in crypto regulation, with anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement now the primary regulatory risk for digital asset firms. In the first half of 2025, U.S. authorities—including the Department of Justice and FinCEN—imposed over $900 million to $1 billion in AML-related fines. Meanwhile, SEC penalties for crypto cases plummeted 97% year-over-year, dropping from $4.9 billion in 2024 to just $142 million in 2025. Major settlements included OKX’s $504 million and KuCoin’s $297 million payments for unlicensed money transmitting and Bank Secrecy Act violations. Regulatory focus has shifted from token classification to operational compliance, with transaction monitoring, licensing, and sanctions screening now under intense scrutiny. Compliance costs are rising globally, driven by mandatory audits, Basel capital requirements, and new stablecoin regulations. European AML fines surged 767%, and smart contract audits have become licensing requirements in several key jurisdictions. The regulatory landscape for digital assets is now defined by enforceable financial controls.