
FIC maps the money laundering, terror financing risks facing SA’s crypto sector
The report outlines the CASP sector’s vulnerabilities and provides guidance on how enhanced compliance and improved risk management can help to safeguard the industry.

The report outlines the CASP sector’s vulnerabilities and provides guidance on how enhanced compliance and improved risk management can help to safeguard the industry.

The Financial Intelligence Centre has refined its draft PCC, addressing industry feedback on payment system operators, open- and closed-loop cards, and third-party payment services.

Directive 3A and PCC 50A set clear guidelines for accountable institutions on reporting international funds transfers and handling reporting failures.

The need to get South Africa off the grey list has seen the FSCA beefing up its supervisory and licensing capacities.

The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has issued published Draft Directive 3A and Draft Public Compliance Communication 50A for public consultation.

But institutions that file their RMCPs after the deadline are regarded as non-compliant and may be sanctioned.

They must submit a copy of their RMCP to the Financial Intelligence Centre by 12 March.

Clients with UBOs in sanctioned areas face enhanced risk, potentially triggering relationship termination and strict regulatory measures.

The Guidance Note reflects significant amendments relating to an accountable institution’s RMCP.

Guidance Note 7A provides further guidance to accountable institutions about their Risk Management and Compliance Programme obligations.

The FIC has directed financial institutions to freeze the designated assets and comply with reporting requirements under FICA.

Victims of the Ant Ranch scheme will receive a share of the R475 000 held in terms of a preservation order. However, the money may not go far in reimbursing their losses.

Standard Bank’s compliance failures include the untimely submission of suspicious activity reports and neglecting system alerts.

Financial institutions will participate in evaluating improvements to Conduct Standard 3 of 2020, aligning these efforts with the COFI Bill.

The revised draft of PCC 23A brings further clarity to the interpretation of credit providers under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.

Accountable institutions that did not pay the smaller fine or remediate their non-compliance now face harsher penalties.

The report highlights patterns, red flags, and practical steps to avoid holiday rental and travel scams.