AML Fines Hit $1B in 2025, Surpassing SEC Crackdowns
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) enforcement has emerged as the top regulatory threat for the crypto industry, with U.S. authorities imposing $1.06 billion in AML-related fines during the first half of 2025, according to a report by blockchain security firm CertiK. This marks a dramatic pivot from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) dominance in crypto enforcement in prior years. In 2025, the SECs crypto-specific penalties plummeted by 97%, dropping from $4.9 billion in 2024 to $142 million. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) led the AML charge, targeting operational lapses such as unlicensed money transmission and Bank Secrecy Act violations. Notable cases include a $504 million settlement with OKX in February 2025 and a $297 million penalty for KuCoin in January 2025, both for failures in licensing and compliance controls. “The shift reflects a significant change in policy focus, with regulators prioritizing compliance frameworks and financial surveillance over securities classification disputes,” CertiK noted. This shift is further underscored by a broader reassessment of the SEC‘s jurisdiction over digital assets, as highlighted in the DOJ’s 2025 policy to reduce “regulation by prosecution.” Global AML Trends Amplify Pressure The surge in AML enforcement isnt confined to U.S. borders. European