Money Laundering Watch: 2018 Year in Review

As we begin the new year, we look back at the most-read posts on Money Laundering Watch, Ballard Spahr's blog focused on money laundering, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing, and global financial corruption. It was a very busy year in the world of money laundering and AML/BSA, and the posts highlighted below address many of the key issues we've examined this year:

• The Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive: Extending the Scope of the European Union's Regulatory Authority to Virtual Currency Transactions

• FinCEN's Beneficial Ownership Rule: More Practical Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

• Congress Contemplates Broad AML/BSA Reform

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rejects Constitutional Challenge to AML Compliance Program Regulation

• A Tale of Two Enforcement Actions

• Danske Bank CEO Resigns on Heels of Report Detailing an Astounding $234 Billion in Suspicious Transactions in Money Laundering Scandal

• FinCEN Employee Charged with Unlawful Disclosure of SARs to Reporter

• Recent FATF Report Provides New Guidance for Identifying Money Laundering Related to Human Trafficking

• SEC Targets AML as Exam Priority

• Another Sprawling Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme Involving Venezuela

• The BSA Civil Penalty Regime: Reckless Conduct Can Produce "Willful" Penalties

• The Medical Marijuana Industry and AML: Opportunities and Risks

This was the second year of Money Laundering Watch, and we want to thank our many readers around the world who continue to make this blog a success. The feedback we receive from financial industry professionals, compliance officers, in-house and external lawyers, AML/BSA consultants, government personnel, journalists, and others interested in this field is invaluable, and we hope you will continue to share your perspectives with us. We pride ourselves on providing in-depth discussions of the important developments in this ever-evolving area.

We also would like to thank the other platforms that host our blog: Digital Currency & Ledger Defense Coalition, Money Laundering Bulletin, and Federal Tax Crimes.

We've started the year on a good note with Money Laundering Watch highlighted as this week's "Featured Blawg" for the ABA Journal. We look forward to continuing to keep you informed in 2019. If you would like to subscribe to Money Laundering Watch, please click here. To learn more about Ballard Spahr's Anti-Money Laundering Team, please click here.

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This alert is a periodic publication of Ballard Spahr LLP and is intended to notify recipients of new developments in the law. It should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own attorney concerning your situation and specific legal questions you have.