AFB Seminar: Crypto-related Risks and Compliance – Regulatory Implications for International Banks

As digital assets become increasingly integrated into the mainstream financial system, banks must now assume that crypto-related risks are relevant to their business. With increased focus on FCA requirements, anti-money laundering controls, counter-terrorist financing obligations, and sanctions compliance, the regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly.

AFB, in partnership with Richardson Lissack, invites members to a seminar exploring how international banks operating in the UK can identify, assess, and manage crypto-related compliance risks.

Why attend?

Banks increasingly encounter digital assets and crypto exposure through their customers, counterparties, and transaction flows. This seminar will provide practical guidance on identifying and managing these risks, understanding regulatory obligations, and strengthening compliance frameworks. Members will gain insights into the compliance challenges arising from increasing crypto adoption and learn how to prepare for heightened regulatory scrutiny.

The seminar will focus on the key areas below:

• how to identify Source of Wealth (SOW) and Source of Funds (SOF) using blockchain data
• how to determine which crypto assets are regulated and which remain outside the regulatory perimeter
• key crypto-specific AML and financial crime red flags
• how blockchain technology can support more efficient KYC processes and reduce counterparty risk
• assessing sanctions and AML exposure in an environment where blockchain transactions remain permanently visible
• understanding where the relative “safe spaces” and lower-risk segments of the crypto ecosystem may exist
• SMCR considerations and accountability for crypto-related compliance risks
• insurance considerations, options, and emerging market requirements

Who should attend?

This seminar will be of particular interest to professionals working in Compliance, Financial Crime, Risk, Legal, Audit, Operational Risk and Regulatory Affairs.

Speakers

Speaker biographies to follow.

Logistics

Fee: Included in AFB membership

Location: The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AN

Date: Thursday 03 December 2026

Time: 09:00 – 10:15 (arrivals and breakfast from 08:30)

There will be ample opportunity for questions throughout the session; however, if you would like to submit a question before or have any areas that you would like the session to address, please send them to the AFB at secretariat@foreignbanks.org.uk.

You will receive final event details a week before the event.

Please note that you will only be deemed to have attended (for CPD points) if you have made yourself known at registration and attend 50% or more of the session.