Anti-Money Laundering (AML) refers to the laws, regulations, and procedures put in place to prevent and detect the illegal practice of converting "dirty" money obtained through criminal activity into "clean" money that can be used without detection.
The AML regulations are intended to prevent money laundering by identifying suspicious transactions and requiring financial institutions to report them to regulatory authorities. These regulations apply to a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, money service businesses, and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Cryptocurrency exchanges, in particular, have become a focus of AML regulation in recent years, as cryptocurrencies can be used to facilitate illicit activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing. As a result, many countries have implemented AML regulations specifically targeted at cryptocurrency exchanges.
AML regulations typically require financial institutions to implement a range of measures to prevent and detect money laundering, such as customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring of customer transactions, and reporting of suspicious activity to regulatory authorities. Failure to comply with AML regulations can result in significant fines and legal penalties.
In conclusion, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) refers to the laws, regulations, and procedures put in place to prevent and detect the illegal practice of converting "dirty" money obtained through criminal activity into "clean" money that can be used without detection. AML regulations apply to a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, money service businesses, and cryptocurrency exchanges. Cryptocurrency exchanges, in particular, have become a focus of AML regulation in recent years. Compliance with AML regulations requires financial institutions to implement a range of measures to prevent and detect money laundering, and failure to comply can result in significant fines and legal penalties.