Podcasts about ofac

In this candid year-end conversation, John Byrne and Sarah Beth Felix dissect an unprecedented year in AML enforcement. Felix, President of Palmero Consulting and creator of "Dirty Money Weekly," describes what she sees as systematic dismantling of AML infrastructure despite stated priorities of combating fentanyl and transnational criminal organizations. With only four enforcement actions from traditional federal banking agencies compared to FINRA's 20+ penalties, the landscape has shifted dramatically. The discussion explores Treasury's proposal to give FinCEN veto authority over banking agency BSA decisions - a move Felix warns could create massive bottlenecks. They examine troubling patterns in recent OFAC sanctions penalties where entities disregard guidance while violations flow through traditional banks. Felix shares skepticism about AI replacing the "hyper suspicious" human judgment essential to AML work, noting AI tools consistently fail basic sanctions questions. The conversation addresses the stark gap between U.S. and European cryptocurrency regulation, with America applying 40-year-old money service business laws to digital assets while the EU has comprehensive frameworks like MiCA. Looking ahead to 2026, Felix urges AML officers to use reduced regulatory scrutiny strategically - eliminating legacy policies that waste time while remembering everything missed now can trigger future enforcement. She emphasizes focusing on cartels and foreign terrorist organizations, which now carry criminal liability for banking officers, and proactively auditing customer sanctions programs.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe Tren De Aragua gang tried to insert malwar into the ATM system to steal millions. Was this the first stage of the [CB] trying to hurt the economy? Trump’s economy is accelerating, the job numbers don’t reflect it because of the manipulation calculation and the jobs that he is removing from Gov. Trump is winning against the [CB]. The [DS] agenda is failing. The D party is on the wrong side of history and everyday that passes the people are waking up to this fact. The only way out is a war and this is why the [DS] is continually pushing back on Trump’s peace plan. Putin has agreed to it, [DS] is fighting it. Trump’s message is clear, we are taking back the country and in the end the D’s and the [DS] will cease to exist. Economy (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Tren De Aragua Members and Leaders Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar ATM Jackpotting Scheme  December 18, 2025 – United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska has returned two indictments charging 54 individuals for their roles in a large conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions of dollars from ATMs in the United States, a crime commonly referred to as “ATM jackpotting.” An indictment returned on December 9, 2025, charges 22 defendants with offenses corresponding to their role in the conspiracy, including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank burglary and fraud and related activity in connection with computers, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment also alleges that Tren de Aragua (“TdA”) has used jackpotting to steal millions of dollars in the United States and then transferred the proceeds among its members and associates to conceal the illegally obtained cash.   Source: .justice.gov  https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/2001781948465746206?s=20 https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2001993417291960468?s=20   Political/Rights Soros DA Ignores ICE Detainer, Releases El Salvadorian Illegal Who Allegedly Commits Murder the Next Day  Marvin Morales-Ortez, 23, an illegal from El Salvador, was released from custody after the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, led by Soros-backed Attorney Steve Descano, dropped a case against him for charges of allegedly brandishing a gun and assaulting and injuring someone. Fox News' Bill Melugin notes he was released back onto the streets after an ICE detainer was ignored. The next day, it is alleged he is responsible for the murder of a man found dead in a home in Reston, Va., according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Before the latest incident, Morales-Ortez already had a lengthy criminal record. WJLA News reports, “court records indicate that since 2020, Morales-Ortez had been charged with at least seven crimes in Fairfax County.” Per WJLA: Source: thegatewaypundit.com BREAKING: Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Found GUILTY of Obstruction For Helping Illegal Alien Evade ICE Agents – Faces 5 Years in Prison Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan on  evening was found guilty of obstruction for helping an illegal alien evade ICE agents. Dugan was acquitted of count 1 – the misdemeanor but she was found guilty on count 2 – the felony obstruction. She is facing five years in prison. AP reported: Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2001976516876681590?s=20 https://twitter.com/Brooketaylortv/status/2001867929940574469?s=20   help crack this case since there was no clear image of the shooter entering the building. The suspected shooter was found dead six days after he opened fire at Brown University and killed two students and critically wounded nine. The shooter has been identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves-Valente. He was a Brown University student and a Portuguese national. https://twitter.com/JohnDePetroshow/status/2002000197124075699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2002000197124075699%7Ctwgr%5E4fa4b47b64971deb3c6bff71f8f137f50b1c8efc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Frevealed-here-is-how-homeless-man-blew-brown%2F https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2001937671115923906?s=20   TARGETED https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2001808961906016366?s=20 https://twitter.com/AutismCapital/status/2001865134214647920?s=20  the apartment building in Brookline, Massachusetts, where MIT professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro lived and was fatally shot has security cameras. Surveillance footage from the building was used in the investigation, including video showing the suspect entering the premises   authorities have not publicly released the security camera footage from the Brookline apartment building where MIT professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro was shot.   https://twitter.com/ColonelTowner/status/2001995157093200088?s=20   his actual storage unit never gets unlocked, and he's found dead in the one next door. I noticed last night that the DOJ AAG was very careful to say he was found dead. Then the following news reports all said he committed suicide. Those are not the same thing. Someone needs to ask about the possibility of him being murdered after his mission was completed. Keep your eyes and ears open No Leads, No Leads, No Leads finally a lead from a homeless man and reddit So the shooter lived in Miami, flew to Providence, waited for Ella, knew her schedule, then drove to Massachusetts, to shoot the professor that he knew in Portugal, then drove back to his storage unit that was in New Hampshire  . He had a foreign phone that couldn’t be pinged and tracked.  So what was the motive https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2001878709385728416?s=20   including the NYC ISIS truck ramming terrorist. Our ENTIRE immigration system needs to be SCRAPPED and REBUILT at this point. ENOUGH! https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2001724267906691531?s=20   Texas and Arizona. Total spending on border construction: $8 billion so far. The full plan: 1,418 miles of “Primary Smart Wall,” 536 miles of waterborne barriers, and 708 miles of secondary barriers. Funded through Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed in July – $46.5 billion allocated specifically for border wall completion through 2029. The “Smart Wall” isn’t just rebranded concrete. It’s steel bollards combined with patrol roads, cameras, lighting, advanced detection sensors, and in some locations waterborne or secondary barriers. CBP calls it an integrated border security system – not just a physical barrier but surveillance infrastructure covering gaps where terrain makes construction impractical. Here’s the funding story: Biden canceled wall contracts when he took office in 2021. The appropriated money – FY2021 funds – never expired. Trump returned in January 2025 and immediately restarted construction using those leftover billions. Then Congress passed his budget package allocating $46.5 billion more for multi-year construction. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued nine waivers since October to fast-track construction by bypassing environmental review requirements. The contracts are moving – $4.5 billion awarded in September, $3.3 billion now, with more queued through 2029. The system includes 536 miles where physical barriers won’t be built due to terrain – those sections get detection technology instead. Another 549 miles will add tech to barriers Biden left incomplete. Trump built 455 miles in his first term, mostly replacing existing fencing. This time the scale is bigger and the tech integration is real. Whether it achieves the enforcement outcomes CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott is promising remains to be seen, but the construction is happening and the funding is locked in.  https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2001837612487840164?s=20 Import IsIamists. Disarm Australians. What could possibly go wrong? https://twitter.com/Patri0tContr0l/status/2001745373052936625?s=20 https://twitter.com/ShadowofEzra/status/2001719516422676556?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical Tren De Aragua Members and Leaders Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar ATM Jackpotting Scheme  December 18, 2025 – United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska has returned two indictments charging 54 individuals for their roles in a large conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions of dollars from ATMs in the United States, a crime commonly referred to as “ATM jackpotting.” An indictment returned on December 9, 2025, charges 22 defendants with offenses corresponding to their role in the conspiracy, including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank burglary and fraud and related activity in connection with computers, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment also alleges that Tren de Aragua (“TdA”) has used jackpotting to steal millions of dollars in the United States and then transferred the proceeds among its members and associates to conceal the illegally obtained cash. One of the individuals named in the Indictment is Jimena Romina Araya Navarro, an alleged Tren De Aragua leader and Venezuelan entertainer who was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).  OFAC's press release alleged that Araya Navarro reportedly helped the notorious head of TdA, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (a.k.a. “Niño Guerrero”) escape from the Tocorón prison in Venezuela in 2012, and others in this network have laundered money for TdA leaders.  Jimena Romina Araya Navarro was indicted by the grand jury for the District of Nebraska for material support to Tren De Aragua for factual allegations stemming from TdA's nationwide ATM jackpotting scheme that included burglaries of many ATMs located in Nebraska. Jimena Romina Araya Navarro has been publicly photographed at parties and social events with the alleged head of TdA Nino Guerrero. Source: .justice.gov  https://twitter.com/BasilTheGreat/status/2001917147963101255?s=20 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2002018167611408489?s=20 Foreign Office has been hacked – ministers ‘fairly confident’ individual data not at risk Foreign Office data has been compromised by hackers, a minister has confirmed to Sky News, but he said the government is “fairly confident” that no individual data has been accessed. Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant told Sky’s Mornings with Jones and Melbourne that the government first became aware of the hack in October, and was now “on top of it”. Sky News understands that the data stolen was on systems operated on the Home Office’s behalf by the Foreign Office, which detected the breach. The Sun reported last night that a Chinese groups of hackers known as Storm 1949 targeted Foreign Office servers and had accessed information relating to visa details, with “thousands” of confidential documents and data stolen. But the minister told Sky News that it is “not entirely clear” who is responsible for the hack, and he could share “remarkably little detail”. Source: skynews.com Denmark blames Russia for destructive cyberattack on water utility Danish intelligence officials blamed Russia for orchestrating cyberattacks against Denmark’s critical infrastructure, as part of Moscow’s hybrid attacks against Western nations. In a Thursday statement, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) identified two groups operating on behalf of the Russian state: Z-Pentest, linked to the destructive water-utility attack, and NoName057(16), flagged as responsible for the DDoS assaults ahead of November’s local elections in Denmark before the 2025 elections. Source: bleepingnews.com War/Peace https://twitter.com/WallStreetMav/status/2001727675950383572?s=20 https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/2001987088586354804?s=20 https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/2001987615856476213?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2001804678045274293?s=20   holding Russia financially accountable for the destruction. Zelensky: “Basically, as of today, now Ukraine must close this problem and have the money, that’s number one. About the prospects, the most right form is reparation loan, so that we all understand, so that Russia understands that it’s guilty and that it will have to pay reparations.” This push ties into the crunch EU summit over a $105B package funded partly by profits from frozen Russian assets, even as legal concerns and U.S. warnings hover. Zelensky says it's moral, fair, and the pressure tool needed to make Putin back down. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/2001953679491109013?s=20 https://twitter.com/aleksbrz11/status/2001656372220301547?s=20 https://twitter.com/philippilk/status/2001918505957134742?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2001973600405049683?s=20 ”  some offers and they invited us to certain compromises.’ And with that in Anchorage, back in Anchorage, I said that this would be difficult decisions for us. But we agree to the compromises that are being proposed to us. So it’s incorrect to say that we are refusing something.””So that’s completely incorrect. So the ball is totally on the side of our Western opponents, of the head of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors. https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2001773196727713853?s=20   other EU countries rattling their sabers and demanding that their native populations gear up to fight Russia in a war that would rival WWI in terms of exterminating a generation of young European men, is it possible that this is part of a New World Order scheme to eliminate native Europeans in favor of their migrant replacements? After all, that would be the ultimate expression of the guilt-ridden, cultural suicide Western Europe has been hellbent on achieving for the past thirty years. Conspiracy theory? YES. Reflective of current sentiments? YES. Take it for what it is worth. Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/2001457867614798265?s=20 [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2001766583757394263?s=20 https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/2001871246141567421?s=20 Trump HUD Hunts Down Fraud in Colorado: 221 Dead People Were Getting Housing  That’s right. 221 dead people, out of almost 3,000 people in Colorado who were improperly receiving benefits from HUD. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is investigating whether Colorado providers helped nearly 3,000 people swindle taxpayer money from Uncle Sam, The Post has learned. The investigation comes after an internal HUD audit found that benefits were granted to 221 dead people, while another 87 were otherwise ineligible. The department also said that another 2,519 beneficiaries will need to undergo additional verification. Here’s the question: Were these just mistakes, the results of bad record-keeping, or deliberate fraud? Not that either is exactly a comfortable finding; when the answer is either criminality or gross incompetence, the taxpayers take a bath either way. And HUD is calling this apparent fraud. Source: redstate.com https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2002067526977720452?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2002054582202200131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2002054582202200131%7Ctwgr%5E9511fa92be723c1b11f9bd872529227569dc1dd9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fsecretary-state-rubio-confirms-ending-ngo-foreign-aid%2F President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2001794199046287594?s=20  the American people. These will be changes that you may not have read about in the media over this last year – but they're just as important for the new FBI. December 18: The FBI reporting structure. When Deputy Bongino and I arrived, FBI leadership was constructed to have all 50+ field offices report to one office in Washington D.C. This created inefficiencies and bureaucracy through no fault of the agents working hard in the field. When we got here, we sent personnel out to the field and then broke down the reporting structure giving a team of Operations Directors regional authority over each office. This allowed us to much more effectively manage each field office and get them the resources they need to do the job and protect the American people. The results speak for themselves: 100% increase in violent crime arrests, 35% increase in espionage arrests, 31% increase in fentanyl seizures, 500% increase in NVE arrests, and more. Making FBI leadership more responsive to the field allowed for the field to be more responsive to the American people – who we work for. https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/2001754813034533328?s=20 https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/2001699622553592254?s=20 https://twitter.com/Peoples_Pundit/status/2001817750952440044?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2001837345113542864?s=20 https://twitter.com/KariLake/status/2001723271771726246?s=20  the center is not officially renamed solely based on the board’s vote. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was established and named by an act of Congress (Public Law 88-260 in 1964, codified in 20 U.S.C. § 76h et seq.), making its official name part of federal statute. While the Board of Trustees can vote to recommend or propose a name change—as they did unanimously on December 18, 2025, to add “Trump” to the name—the actual renaming requires legislative action to amend the law.The Process: Board Proposal: The Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees (which includes presidential appointees, congressional ex officio members, and others) can discuss and vote on a proposed name change. In this case, the Trump-appointed board voted to rename it the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” citing Trump’s contributions to renovations and fundraising. Congressional Legislation: To make the change official, Congress must pass a bill amending the relevant statutes. For example: Legislation has already been introduced in the House by Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.) to codify the rename. The bill would need to pass both the House and Senate, then be signed into law by the President (or overridden if vetoed). Potential Challenges and Approval: Ex officio board members (e.g., congressional Democrats like Rep. Joyce Beatty, Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Leader Hakeem Jeffries) have stated that federal law prohibits name changes without congressional action, calling the board’s move unauthorized or illegal. reuters.com They dispute the “unanimous” vote claim, noting some were muted or unable to oppose. Kennedy family members, such as grandnephew Joe Kennedy, have opposed it, arguing the board lacks authority. reuters.com If passed, the change could face legal challenges, but congressional approval would make it binding. Until Congress acts, the center retains its current name, though the White House has begun referring to it as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” in announcements.  https://twitter.com/OpenSourceZone/status/2001373638654841181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2001373638654841181%7Ctwgr%5E686532e3ba9f23547c3b85b453c29e8ca105954e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fbobhoge%2F2025%2F12%2F18%2Fschizophrenia-dem-approval-rating-falls-off-a-cliff-but-voters-still-want-them-to-retake-the-house-n2197259 Trump announces ‘Patriot Games,' with 2 high school athletes from each state President Trump   announced plans for a “Patriot Games” next year that will pit top high school athletes from across the country against one another as part of a series of events to mark 250 years since the nation's founding. Trump announced the launch of Freedom 250, an organization that will lead the administration's efforts to celebrate the country's 250th birthday in 2026. One of the events that will be featured as part of the festivities will be what Trump called the “first-ever Patriot Games, an unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes — one young man and one young woman from each state and territory.” The event is slated for next fall. Source: thehill.com https://twitter.com/BehizyTweets/status/2001758550067155179?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

In this episode, B10C discusses his work in the Bitcoin ecosystem, focusing on the importance of censorship resistance, the role of mining pools, and the implications of OFAC sanctions on Bitcoin transactions. He introduces the Peer Observer project aimed at monitoring the Bitcoin network for anomalies and attacks, and highlights the need for a collaborative approach to Bitcoin network operations through the Bitcoin Network Operations Collective.Takeaways:

En esta emisión de Me lo Dijo Adela con Kimberly Armengol, analizamos los temas más relevantes del jueves 18 de diciembre de 2025. Hablamos con Victor Sánchez Valdés, especialista en seguridad, sobre las sanciones del Departamento del Tesoro de EE. UU. al Cártel de Santa Rosa de Lima y la detención de Jacobo Reyes León, alias “El Yeicob”. Además, el estratega político Alan Santelices nos explica el panorama electoral y las preferencias de la gente en redes sociales. Contamos también con la mesa de análisis de Roberto Gil Zuarth y Arturo Maximiliano García, donde se discuten temas internacionales, incluido el fentanilo, la política en América Latina y el caso de María Amparo Casar. Cerramos con noticias deportivas y de espectáculos con Juan Carlos Murrieta y Emilio Morales, así como una investigación especial sobre la historia de Ernestina Ascencio por Jonathan Padilla. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

En esta emisión de Me lo Dijo Adela con Kimberly Armengol, analizamos los temas más relevantes del jueves 18 de diciembre de 2025. Hablamos con Victor Sánchez Valdés, especialista en seguridad, sobre las sanciones del Departamento del Tesoro de EE. UU. al Cártel de Santa Rosa de Lima y la detención de Jacobo Reyes León, alias “El Yeicob”. Además, el estratega político Alan Santelices nos explica el panorama electoral y las preferencias de la gente en redes sociales. Contamos también con la mesa de análisis de Roberto Gil Zuarth y Arturo Maximiliano García, donde se discuten temas internacionales, incluido el fentanilo, la política en América Latina y el caso de María Amparo Casar. Cerramos con noticias deportivas y de espectáculos con Juan Carlos Murrieta y Emilio Morales, así como una investigación especial sobre la historia de Ernestina Ascencio por Jonathan Padilla. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

En este episodio profundizamos en la salida de Yariel Rodríguez del roster de 40 de Toronto y en cómo este movimiento puede impactar directamente su posible participación en el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol. Además, examinamos el reciente anuncio de que Cuba recibió el permiso preliminar de OFAC, junto con las nuevas tensiones internas: discriminación, vetos y decisiones contradictorias dentro del proceso de selección. Un análisis claro y directo sobre la situación real del equipo Cuba rumbo al Clásico.Conviértete en un seguidor de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pelota-cubana--3596768/support.Pelota Cubana USA: Donde hablamos del béisbol cubano como es, no como quieren que lo cuenten.

Hello and welcome to episode 208 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, we begin with significant global enforcement actions, including the landmark agreement by the EU to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, and the UK's expansion of sanctions with 12 new designations targeting individuals and entities under its Cyber and Russia regimes, alongside new counter-terrorism designations. In the US, the Treasury's OFAC imposed a substantial $7.1m penalty on Gracetown Inc for violating Russia-related sanctions involving an entity owned by sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska, and sanctioned a Venezuelan entertainer and associates for supporting the terrorist cartel Tren de Aragua. We also look at major crime fighting successes, such as Europol and Eurojust dismantling a massive cryptocurrency fraud network responsible for laundering over €700 million, and the EU formally designating Russia as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorist financing. Finally, on domestic issues, the UK Gambling Commission fining Done Brothers £825,000 for serious anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings, and the launch of the new Report Fraud service by the City of London Police to replace Action Fraud.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack a pile of developments across the globe. From the EU's decision to add Russia to its AML blacklist and phase out Russian gas imports, to major enforcement action against a crypto mixer, the conversation dives deep into the evolving financial crime landscape. They also cover Canada's updated guidance on politically exposed persons, U.S. alerts on cross-border transfers, OCC's changes for community banks, and a surprising OFAC penalty tied to real estate sanctions. Plus, insights on humanitarian access challenges and upcoming year-in-review discussions. Stay informed on what's shaping compliance and risk management today.

BIS 50% Rule: What you need to knowThe BIS 50% Rule is coming—but it's already reshaping screening activities. By making ownership the deciding factor for the US Entity List, this rule could expose hidden connections, highlight new risks, and impel companies to rethink how they manage global trade and global due diligence. In this episode, host Alex Pillow, is joined by Moody's Industry Practice Lead, Hera Smith, to unpack what this rule will likely mean for businesses worldwide. Together, they explore the effects across industries and answer the questions that matter most: What is the BIS 50% Rule and what loophole does it close? How does it compare to OFAC's 50% Rule? What will the penalties be for violating this regulation? Which industries will be most affected, and how should compliance teams adapt now? What does effective collaboration between vendors and practitioners look like? Since the recording, implementation has changed and will now be enforced from November 2026.Additional resources: Bureau of Industry & Security websiteMoody's blogs BIS 50% Rule – what is it and what has changed?What are the differences between the BIS 50% Rule and the OFAC 50% Rule? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Sanctions+, hosts Milana Karayanidi and Shahrzad Noorbaloochi discuss with Dina Hoffman the new “Affiliates Rule” by BIS and what it means for export controls compliance. Drawing on her experience with BIS in Germany and her current work in Kazakhstan with ECS Advisors, Dina explains aggregation across the Entity List and MEU owners, the rule of most restrictiveness, and the practical implications of new Red Flag 29 and BIS's closer alignment with OFAC's 50% rule. The discussion touches upon tracing the ownership to the ultimate beneficial owner, recalibrating screening beyond the Consolidated Screening List, document diligence, and preparing for increased licensing and voluntary disclosure decisions. This episode also explores the culture of Kazakhstan – from its nomadic heritage to modern life in Astana and Almaty.

How did the US Dollar become the dominant currency internationally? What keeps other currencies, fiat or crypto, from displacing the dollar's role? Does the aggressive use of sanctions by the US Government put the dollar's role at risk?Paul Blustein is with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as well as an author and journalist. He has written several books including his latest work King Dollar: The Past and Future of the World's Dominant Currency and previous works, Off Balance: The Travails of Institutions That Govern the Global Financial System, And the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out) Wall Street, the IMF, and the Bankrupting of Argentina, and Laid Low: Inside the Crisis That Overwhelmed Europe and the IMF.Greg and Paul discuss the reasons behind the US dollar's dominance in global finance, its historical roots stemming from the Bretton Woods Agreement, and the challenges posed by international crises and economic policies. Paul also discusses the role and limitations of the IMF, the geopolitical implications of using the dollar as a financial weapon, and the potential impact of emerging currencies and digital threats. The episode concludes with insights into the phenomena of dollarization and how various economic strategies, including those of China and Russia, intersect with the enduring power of the US dollar.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:How the U.S. discovered the power of financial sanctions21:00: No longer was it just going to be the drug lords and, you know, in Colombia and places like that, it was now the government was gonna crack down on terrorists. And so the Treasury, OFAC, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, began doing some of that. And they realized that by cutting off banks abroad from access to the dollar system, that correspondent banking system we were just talking about, that, you know, things could really go boom. They could pose a death sentence on banks. And as they began to realize the power of that, they then applied it in the case of North Korea in 2005. And they were absolutely astonished to discover that this really worked. You could really have a big effect on North Korea's financial system by cutting off banks. It was—they went after a bank in Macau that had been—and then they were off to the races. They could use this similar kind of weaponry on Iran and other adversariesResponsible vs irresponsible use of dollar power25:29: You have this power with a dollar; if we use it responsibly, it can be a very good power. And if we use it irresponsibly, it's a bad power. And that's the way I like to look at it.How U.S.–China sanction scenarios are actually gamed out51:59: Some of the hawks in, you know, you don't hear so much from these guys anymore, but the hawks in Congress have tried to game some of these out. You know, I go into this in one of the chapters of the book about how they, you know, they had a red team and a blue team, and they thought, well, we can, you know, we just have done this—imposed drastic sanctions on Russia. So if there's an invasion of Taiwan, here's what we do. And they, I think, have discovered that if you have a really knowledgeable red team playing the Chinese Communist Party, they can come up with a lot, a lot of things that, it preserves Taiwanese democracy but doesn't have us at each other's throats.Show Links:Recommended Resources:United States DollarEuroRenminbiReserve CurrencyNetwork EffectBretton Woods SystemJohn Maynard KeynesHarry Dexter WhiteHerbert SteinFederal ReserveInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)SWIFTEuroclearFiat MoneyXi JinpingShadow FleetGuest Profile:PaulBlustein.comProfessional Profile for CSISLinkedIn ProfileSocial Profile on XGuest Work:Amazon Author PageKing Dollar: The Past and Future of the World's Dominant CurrencyOff Balance: The Travails of Institutions That Govern the Global Financial SystemAnd the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out) Wall Street, the IMF, and the Bankrupting of ArgentinaThe Chastening: Inside The Crisis That Rocked The Global Financial System And Humbled The IMFMisadventures of the Most Favored Nations: Clashing Egos, Inflated Ambitions, and the Great Shambles of the World Trade SystemLaid Low: Inside the Crisis That Overwhelmed Europe and the IMFSchism: China, America, and the Fracturing of the Global Trading System Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome to episode 205 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. This episode covers significant global enforcement actions, including the UK updating its Cyber Sanctions List to subject Russian national Andrei Valerevich Kozlov to an asset freeze for involvement in the cybercrime ecosystem, and the US Treasury's OFAC levying a statutory maximum $4.7 million penalty against a real estate investor for illegally dealing in property owned by a sanctioned Russian individual. We look at AML and governance failings, noting the £650,000 fine imposed on Videoslots Limited by the UK Gambling Commission for serious anti-money laundering and safer gambling deficiencies, while an IMF report highlights persistent governance weaknesses and widespread corruption vulnerabilities in Pakistan. Finally, we turn to broader crime fighting, covering the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's urgent call for funding to combat organised crime operating from "front" shops on UK high streets, and analysing Security Minister Dan Jarvis's warning about escalating cyber threats and the need for proactive societal resilience.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

NCBFAA Transportation Committee Spotlight: 2025 Wins, 2026 Priorities & Industry Insights Host: Lalo Solorzano Guest(s): Kim Calicott — NCBFAA Transportation Committee Chair - LinkedIn Rich Roche — NVOCC Subcommittee Chair - LinkedIn Donna Kavanaugh — Export Compliance Subcommittee Chair- LinkedIn Published: November 26, 2026 Length: ~ 44 min. Presented by: Global Training Center — globaltrainingcenter.com Episode Summary In this special collaboration with the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), Simply Trade launches a multi-episode series highlighting the critical work of NCBFAA committees. This episode features the Transportation Committee, covering NVOCC activity, export compliance, air freight, logistics, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Host Lalo Solorzano speaks with committee chair Kim Calicott, along with subcommittee leaders Rich Roche (NVOCC) and Donna Kavanaugh (Export Compliance). The group breaks down the major wins and challenges of 2025, key regulatory shifts, and what members should expect heading into 2026. Key Learnings & Themes 1. Transportation Committee Overview Kim explains the structure of the Transportation Committee and its four subcommittees: NVOCC Subcommittee (Rich Roche): Guidance on OSRA, FMC rulemaking, D&D billing, “clear as mud” interpretations, and a forthcoming NVOCC Best Practices Working Group. Export Compliance Subcommittee (Donna Kavanaugh): Monitoring regulatory activity from BIS, OFAC, Census, CBP, and DDTC while educating members on practical impacts. Air Freight Subcommittee (Donna Mullins): Infrastructure modernization efforts, partnership with the Airforwarders Association (AFA), and involvement in a GAO study on air cargo facility conditions. Logistics Committee: Watching driver shortages, truck/equipment tariff impacts, Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) development, and alignment with international systems like ICS2. 2. 2025 Regulatory Swing Highlights include: FMC's D&D Final Rule implementation and the section struck down by the courts. BIS tightening China-related controls and reevaluating rules inherited from prior administrations. Pause on the significant Affiliates Rule, which may reemerge in 2026. Changing rules related to firearms, AI, and Syria sanctions. “Clear as mud” advisory responses from FMC's General Counsel. 3. Advocacy That Makes a Difference NCBFAA's early engagement with agencies prevents harmful regulatory outcomes—such as removing unintended burdens on NVOCCs in OSRA's original wording. 4. Encouragement for New Participants Both Kim and Donna stress: No one starts out knowing everything Every question matters Committee involvement accelerates growth and strengthens the industry The association thrives on collaboration across company size, mode, and experience level 5. Looking Ahead to 2026 Key upcoming items include: Launch of the NVOCC Best Practices Working Group Ongoing work on EEM and air cargo modernization BIS rule reviews after the Affiliates Rule pause Continued focus on driver shortages and equipment tariffs NVOCC Day 2026 in New Orleans on January 22 Takeaways for Listeners NCBFAA membership is valuable for all trade professionals—brokers, forwarders, logistics providers, and affiliates. Exporting remains highly regulated and rapidly evolving—missteps can be significant. Committee participation is one of the most impactful ways to deepen knowledge and support industry-wide improvements. Agencies are shifting priorities quickly; staying informed is essential. Resources Mentioned Here are all referenced agencies, programs, and industry groups with embedded official links: NCBFAA & Industry Associations NCBFAA — ncbfaa.org Airforwarders Association (AFA) — airforwarders.org Government Accountability Office (GAO) — gao.gov Regulatory Agencies Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) — fmc.gov Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) — bis.doc.gov Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) — home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/ofac U.S. Census Bureau (AES/Exports) — census.gov/foreign-trade/aes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — cbp.gov Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — tsa.gov Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC / ITAR) — pmddtc.state.gov Regulations / Programs OSRA – Ocean Shipping Reform Act — FMC OSRA Overview Demerage & Detention (D&D) Final Rule — FMC Rulemaking Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) — CBP EEM Information ICS2 – EU Import Control System 2 — European Commission ICS2 Credits Host: Lalo Solorzano — Global Training Center Guests: Kim Calicott — LinkedIn Rich Roche — LinkedIn Donna Kavanaugh — LinkedIn Presented by: Global Training Center — Website / LinkedIn Subscribe & Follow YouTube: Simply Trade Channel Spotify: Simply Trade on Spotify Apple Podcasts: Simply Trade on Apple Podcasts Cindy Allen (The Taylor Swift of Trade): LinkedIn Trade Geeks Community: Join Trade Geeks

La representante dio sus razones por las que le pidió a EE. UU. que incluyeran a la Fiscal a la lista OFAC. 

La tensión entre los gobiernos de Colombia y Estados Unidos puede escalar si, eventualmente, la Oficina de Control de Activos Extranjeros incluye al CEO de Ecopetrol en su lista

On this episode of EMBARGOED!, host Tim O'Toole, Miller & Chevalier Counsel Melissa Burgess and Collmann Griffin, and guest Chris Chamberlain of Morrison & Foerster continue their discussion of AI chip-related export controls, musing about Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) considerations, semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME), and the much-anticipated BIS release of a 50 Percent Rule for the Entity List. Roadmap: May 13, 2025, BIS Policy Statement on training AI models Controls on SME and balancing foreign policy, national security, and other reasons for control under the EAR Not reasons for control: Economic and other factors BIS does not consider determinative when assessing controls Pros and cons of BIS having an OFAC-style 50 Percent Rule for the Entity List ******* Thanks to our guests for joining us: Chris Chamberlain: https://www.mofo.com/people/chris-chamberlain  Melissa Burgess: https://www.millerchevalier.com/professional/melissa-burgess  Collmann Griffin: https://www.millerchevalier.com/professional/collmann-griffin  Questions? Contact us at podcasts@milchev.com. EMBARGOED! is not intended and cannot be relied on as legal advice; the content only reflects the thoughts and opinions of its hosts. EMBARGOED! is intelligent talk about sanctions, export controls, and all things international trade for trade nerds and normal human beings alike. Each episode will feature deep thoughts and hot takes about the latest headline-grabbing developments in this area of the law, as well as some below-the-radar items to keep an eye on. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes so you don't miss out!

Papa Leon va vizita Turcia între 27 și 30 noiembrie, după care se va afla în Liban între 30 noiembrie și 2 decembrie. Aceasta este prima sa călătorie în afara Italiei. Prin această vizită, Papa dorește să lanseze un apel de pace în întreaga regiune. Una dintre opririle sale va fi la bazilica de lângă lacul Iznik, în regiunea Bursa, unde a avut loc Primul Conciliu de la Niceea, relatează bianet.org. Primul Conciliu de la Niceea, ținut în anul 325, este primul conciliu ecumenic al Bisericii Creștine, care a pus bazele dogmatice și canonice ale creștinismului, definind dogmele religioase ca răspuns la provocarea reprezentată de erezia arianistă. Această bazilică a fost descoperită acum 11 ani. Este situată la aproximativ 20 de metri de malul lacului, și este acum sub apă, la o adâncime de 1,5 până la 2 metri. În ultimii ani, acolo au fost efectuate săpături arheologice, sprijinite și de Ministerul Turismului din Ankara. Acum, înainte de vizita Papei, au loc și lucrări de amenajare a zonei. Potrivit șefului lucrărilor, Mustafa Șahin, „biserica poate deveni un loc de pelerinaj și un centru de interes pentru turismul religios, rămânând pe harta turistică a Turciei și după vizita Înaltului Pontif.” Un partid de opoziție din Bulgaria alertează Statele Unite că oligarhul Delyan Peevski nu respectă sancțiunile Magnitsky impuse împotriva saPartidul de opoziție reformist „Da, Bulgaria” a alertat guvernul Statelor Unite cu privire la faptul că oligarhul Delyan Peevski nu respectă sancțiunile impuse împotriva sa de Washington în temeiul Legii Magnitsky. Potrivit partidului, Peevski folosește un cont în dolari la Banca Municipală din Sofia, relatează secțiunea bulgară a postului Radio Europa Liberă.Peevski a fost sancționat de Statele Unite pentru corupție în 2021. Conform sancțiunilor, băncile nu ar trebui să-i permită să opereze cu dolari, deoarece acest lucru ar putea duce la sancțiuni și împotriva lor.Sesizarea a fost depusă la Oficiul pentru Controlul Activelor Străine (OFAC), care face parte din Departamentul Trezoreriei SUA. „Declarația lui Peevski indică faptul că deține un cont în dolari, ceea ce înseamnă că banca unde este deschis contul trebuie să aibă legături cu o bancă americană”, a declarat un reprezentant al partidului „Da, Bulgaria”. Potrivit acestuia, banca americană nu ar fi fost informată în mod corespunzător că oligarhul sancționat este deservit de Banca Municipală.Mai mult, Peevski declară și venituri din dividende, iar plata acestora reprezintă o altă încălcare a sancțiunilor.Peevski a fost sancționat de Statele Unite pentru corupție în 2021, motivul invocat de Washington fiind acela că oligarhul „a participat în mod regulat la acte de corupție, folosind traficul de influență și mita pentru a se proteja de controlul public și pentru a exercita controlul asupra instituțiilor și sectoarelor cheie ale societății bulgare”. În 2022, el a fost sancționat și de Regatul Unit, pe baza acelorași argumente.Peevski este considerat cel mai puternic om pe scena politică din Bulgaria, controlând nu doar sistemul judiciar bulgar și serviciile secrete, ci și executivul de la Sofia. După cea de-a doua alegere a lui Donald Trump ca președinte, Peevski s-a prezentat ca un admirator al noului lider american și, în dorința de a intra în grațiile mișcării MAGA, pentru a fi absolvit de sancțiuni, a elaborat liste cu presupuși „sorosiști” și a propus formarea unei comisiei parlamentare care să-i investigheze. 

Junto a Ivette Silva, Alejandro Velandia y Luis Alberto Ávila analizamos la inlcusión del presidente de Colombia, Gustavo Petro, en la lista OFAC, conocida popularmente como la Lista Clinton.

El gobierno de EE.UU. colocó al presidente Gustavo Petro, algunos de sus familiares y colaboradores en la "lista negra" de personas relacionadas con el narcotráfico. ¿Qué implica estar en la llamada "lista Clinton"?

La lista OFAC impone sanciones a aquellos que Washington considere como amenaza a su seguridad y economía.

 Rafael Nieto Loaiza- ex viceministro de Justicia, abogado y analistaTema:  ¿Petro en la lista OFAC?

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/ In this episode of With Flying Colors, host Mark Treichel sits down with Scott Gladden and Kenny Ray Mitchell of Innovations Credit Union to preview the CUES Florida Council Cruise happening January 16–20, 2026. This unique event combines professional development, networking, and a Caribbean getaway—all tailored for credit union leaders, board members, and supervisory committees.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The origins of the CUES Council Cruise and how it became a 20-year tradition of education and collaboration.Event details: sailing on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island and Nassau.Why the cruise is open to all credit union professionals across the country—not just Florida.The speaker lineup, including:John DeLoach, credit union attorney (compliance, BSA, OFAC updates)Trey Rudder, Corporate America (financial training for boards and committees)Mike Mola, Olden Lane (industry consolidation, subordinated debt)Mark Treichel, Steve Farrar, and Todd Miller of CU Exam Solutions (strategies to pass your NCUA exam with flying colors)Perks of the cruise: deluxe beverage package, included Wi-Fi, networking receptions each evening, and a relaxed but focused learning environment.How the informal conversations—over coffee, dinner, or a glass of wine—often prove just as valuable as the sessions themselves.Why Attend? If you're looking to combine professional development with a January getaway, the CUES Council Cruise is an affordable, high-impact option. You'll return with new insights, stronger connections, and renewed energy to lead your credit union.Event Info

In this episode, John Byrne returns from the Missouri Bankers AML Conference to join Elliot Berman for a wide-ranging discussion on the latest developments in financial crime compliance. Topics include FinCEN's proposed delay of investment advisor AML rules, the GENIUS Act's digital asset regulation, and the Bank of Canada's call for stablecoin oversight. The hosts also explore OFAC's controversial sanctions decisions, the EU's 19th sanctions package against Russia, DFS guidance on blockchain analytics, and FATF's mutual evaluation training. Plus, a look at corruption investigations and Antifa's domestic terrorism designation.

In this Week 38 edition of the GMS Weekly Podcast, we cover the latest ship-recycling market trends, freight activity, steel prices, and key port updates from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey. This week's theme: September Serene? Global Market Overview Freight activity stayed mixed as the Baltic Dry Index held steady: Capesize gained about 1 percent, while Panamax and Supramax fell nearly 2 percent and 3 percent. Oil prices moved only slightly higher, with WTI crude closing at USD 62.74 per barrel, still down 1.4 percent for the month and 10.8 percent year on year. Currency markets softened: Indian rupee firmed to INR 88.09, Pakistani rupee to PKR 283.44, Bangladeshi taka to BDT 121.74, while Turkish lira slipped to TRY 41.41. Steel plate prices were steady across major recycling hubs: India USD 448 per ton, Pakistan USD 619 per ton, Bangladesh USD 519 per ton. Bangladesh Activity remains sporadic. Recyclers focused on larger LDT and LNG units as smaller ships drew little interest. One fresh LDT tanker arrival broke the quiet. The taka eased to BDT 121.74 and steel plate prices held at USD 519 per ton. With February 2026 elections ahead and infrastructure demand weak, most recyclers stay cautious. India Alang stayed the busiest yard, recording about 84 K LDT of arrivals including several OFAC-listed or sanctioned units that other markets rejected. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Bhavnagar caused partial shutdowns, but demand held firm. The rupee strengthened to INR 88.09 and steel plate prices remained flat at USD 448 per ton. India continues to lead LNG recycling sales. Pakistan Gadani logged a third straight week of no arrivals. DASR certification and slow Hong Kong Convention yard upgrades continue to limit activity. Still, fundamentals are strong: PKR strengthened to 283.44 and steel plate prices remain near the industry high at USD 619 per ton. Progress on HKC compliance could allow a market rebound later this year. Turkey The market remained quiet. The lira weakened further to TRY 41.41, import steel prices fell for a second consecutive week, and recycling activity stayed minimal. Beach Breakdown Global freight markets steadied and steel prices were unchanged. India saw the most arrivals, Bangladesh stayed selective, Pakistan waited for yard approvals, and Turkey remained subdued. For full details, vessel rankings, and port positions, download the GMS Weekly on our website or mobile app. Follow GMS on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.

Eduardo Bohórquez, Director de Transparencia Mexicana

Wednesday September 17, 2025 Fracht FWO to Pay $1.6 Million to Settle OFAC Charges

This episode is sponsored by Mekorma.   Vendor management is the foundation of payment processing and a critical step in ensuring your business isn't exposed to unnecessary risk, but for many teams operating in Microsoft Dynamics GP and D365 Business Central, it's still manual, time-consuming, and error-prone.    In this podcast episode, Mekorma's Director of Revenue Brendan Coffey explores the realities of vendor management today, the compliance challenges of IRS TIN checks and OFAC sanctions, and what happens when vendor validation is overlooked.    Listeners will walk away with a clear framework of "Now → Next → Later" for strengthening vendor management maturity in Business Central and Dynamics GP. From easing year-end 1099 reporting to embedding vendor validation and finally automating compliance checks in the payment run, this conversation shows how AP teams can save time, reduce risk, and scale with confidence.   From Mekorma: If you'd like to learn more about vendor validation and management from Brendan and the Mekorma team, visit mekorma.com to explore resources, blogs, or schedule a product demo.

The award-winning Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to explore a subject more fully. Looking for some hard-hitting insights on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss a recent OFAC enforcement action against a Swiss-domiciled freight forwarding company, Fracht. The case stands out for its complexity, involving a single, high-value transaction that exposed the company to significant sanctions risk through dealings with both Venezuelan and Iranian entities. Tom and Matt break down the compliance failures, the role of senior management, and the extensive remediation steps taken post-incident. This episode offers actionable lessons for compliance professionals on supply chain due diligence, the importance of compliance involvement in urgent deals, and the consequences of sidelining compliance functions. Key highlights: OFAC Enforcement Details Anatomy of the Transaction Third- and Fourth-Party Risks Senior Management Involvement Compliance Failures & Supply Chain Visibility Remediation & Consequence Management Key Takeaways for Compliance Professionals: Always involve compliance in high-value, urgent transactions. Ensure robust due diligence for all counterparties, including third- and fourth-party risks. Senior management must be accountable for compliance failures. Remediation should include policy updates, staff training, and ongoing oversight. Resources: Matt on Radical Compliance  Tom Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn A multi-award-winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of the Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcasts, a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred the Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the beginning of the “New FCPA” era coined by DOJ's Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, we now need to focus on third-party risk and sanctions enforcement. The law, the practice, and the risks are important and not just the same as FCPA legal requirements. As we embark on a new criminal enforcement era surrounding sanctions violations, companies have to address this issue and do it correctly. In this episode, Michael Volkov takes a comprehensive look at third-party risks from the distribution and supply sides and outlines appropriate strategies to manage these risks.Epsilon Electronics serves as a stark reminder of the financial consequences of non-compliance. The company faced an OFAC enforcement action due to a shipment to Iran, resulting in a staggering penalty of over $4 million.Apollo Aviation Group settled with OFAC for $210,600 for leasing aircraft engines which ultimately ended up being placed in to aircraft of a prohibited entity, Sudan Airways, violating sanctions regulations.ELF Cosmetics settled with OFAC for $996,000 for importing false eyelash kits containing materials sourced from North Korea, highlighting supply chain due diligence failures.The ELF Cosmetics case underscores the crucial role of supply chain due diligence in preventing sanctions violations. Instead of sticking their heads in the sand, companies must undertake basic supply chain due diligence when sourcing products from regions close to high-risk countries or regions.“Reason to know” is now the key phrase guiding the New FCPA era. OFAC does not need to prove goods ultimately end up in a sanctioned country. When you see red flags, you must resolve them or they could be considered a “reason to know” in OFAC's eyes.Seven essential elements to boost your compliance program and effectively mitigate third-party sanctions risks include risk assessment, varying levels of due diligence, end-user documentation, monitoring, training, and red flag identification.ResourcesMichael Volkov on LinkedIn | TwitterThe Volkov Law Group

There is a powerful office in the Treasury Department called the Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC. You could argue that the officials in OFAC are the most powerful government functionaries in the world. They are the functionaries who sanction companies, organizations, and individuals, by adding these entities to a list called the Specially Designated Nationals List, or SDN List for short. Today, there are over 17,000 designated entities. The list includes Iranian government institutions, Afghan jihadists, Russian state enterprises, Venezuelan officials, and Mexican drug lords—a growing list of entities that the US deems a threat to national security. Getting on the list is easy. Getting off the list is hard.Erich Ferrari is Founder and Principal Attorney of Ferrari & Associates, a Washington DC based law firm. Erich represents U.S. and foreign corporations, financial institutions, exporters, insurers, as well as private individuals in trade compliance, regulatory licensing matters, and federal investigations and prosecutions.The Sanctions Age is hosted by Esfandyar Batmanghelidj. The show is produced by Spiritland Productions.To receive an email when new episodes are released, access episode transcripts, and read Esfandyar's notes on each episode, sign-up for the The Sanctions Age newsletter on Substack: https://www.thesanctionsage.com/

فصل هفتم - قسمت هفتمدر این اپیزود ویژه از پادکست شیر یا خط، به یکی از بحث‌برانگیزترین موضوعات دنیای بلاکچین می‌پردازیم: حریم خصوصی. آیا حریم خصوصی در تراکنش‌های دیجیتال یک حق بنیادین شهروندان است یا ابزاری که به دست مجرمان قرار می‌گیرد؟https://shiryakhat.net/2025/08/privacy-blockchain-right-or-crime-tool.htmlتوضیحات اپیزوداین اپیزود با حضور شایان (دکترای سیستم های اطلاعاتی و کارشناس امنیت بلاکچین)٫ فاطمه (وکیل متخصص بلاکچین در سوئیس)، مهدیه (توسعه‌دهنده قرارداد هوشمند)، و حمید (توسعه‌دهنده بلاکچین)، نگاهی جامع و چندبعدی به مسئله حریم خصوصی در بلاکچین دارد. از مبانی فنی شبه‌ناشناسی (pseudonymity) در بیتکوین و اتریوم گرفته تا تحلیل دقیق پرونده‌ی قضایی تورنادو کش و سامورایی والت، همه جنبه‌های این موضوع پیچیده بررسی می‌شود.گفتگو با مقایسه حقوق حریم خصوصی در دنیای سنتی (مانند GDPR در اروپا) و چالش‌های بلاکچین آغاز می‌شود. سپس به تحلیل عمیق ابزارهای حریم خصوصی مانند میکسرها، CoinJoin، و رمزارزهای حریم‌خصوصی مثل مونرو و زیکش می‌پردازد.نکات اصلی بحث‌شده:مبانی حریم خصوصی در بلاکچین:تفاوت ناشناسی (anonymity) و شبه‌ناشناسی (pseudonymity) چالش‌های شفافیت کامل در بلاکچین‌های عمومیابزارهای تحلیل بلاکچین مانند Chainalysis و نقش آن‌ها در ردیابیتورنادو کش: از ابزار حریم خصوصی تا دادگاه:تاریخچه و معماری فنی تورنادو کش استفاده‌های مشروع و غیرمشروع تحریم‌های OFAC و پیامدهای آن پرونده قضایی Roman Storm و پیامدهای حقوقی لغو تحریم‌ها در مارس ۲۰۲۵ و دلیل آنسامورایی والت و CoinJoin معرفی پروتکل CoinJoin و ویژگی Whirlpoolدستگیری بنیان‌گذاران و تعطیلی سرویسمقایسه «جنگ رمزنگاری» دهه ۱۹۹۰ با چالش‌های امروزبحث «کد = بیان» و آزادی نرم‌افزارتعارض بین حق حریم خصوصی و مبارزه با پولشویی نقش محدودیت‌های KYC در صرافی‌های متمرکز رمزارزهای حریم‌خصوصی: مونرو، زیکش، و چالش‌های آن‌هاابزارهای جدید مانند Privacy Pools و راه‌حل‌های ترکیبی آینده فناوری‌های حریم‌خصوصی در بلاکچیننتیجه‌گیریاین اپیزود نشان می‌دهد که حریم خصوصی در بلاکچین موضوعی پیچیده است که در تقاطع فناوری، حقوق، فلسفه و جامعه‌شناسی قرار دارد. در حالی که ابزارهای حریم خصوصی می‌توانند برای محافظت از حقوق مشروع شهروندان استفاده شوند، امکان سوءاستفاده از آن‌ها نیز وجود دارد.تجربیات تورنادو کش و سامورایی والت نشان می‌دهند که جامعه بلاکچین باید راه‌حل‌هایی بیابد که هم حریم خصوصی مشروع را حفظ کند و هم از استفاده غیرقانونی جلوگیری نماید. آینده این حوزه به تعامل سازنده بین توسعه‌دهندگان، قانون‌گذاران و جامعه جهانی بستگی دارد.همان‌طور که در اپیزود بحث شد، «کد نوشتن جرم نیست»، اما مسئولیت اجتماعی توسعه‌دهندگان و نیاز به چارچوب‌های قانونی روشن همچنان از چالش‌های اصلی این حوزه محسوب می‌شود.-----حاضران در این قسمت:شایان اسکندری: https://shayan.esفاطمه فنی‌زاده: https://x.com/Fatalmehمهدیه امیری: https://linkedin.com/in/mahdieh-amiri-blockchainحمید باطنی: https://x.com/n3wbateni منابع در سایت شیر یا هخط قابل دسترس هستند. -----00:00 مقدمه01:42 مبانی حریم خصوصی در بلاکچین06:48 نقش Chainalysis و ابزارهای تحلیل بلاکچین10:19 مقایسه با تحولات اینترنت و پروتکل‌های حریم خصوصی19:45 معرفی CoinJoin و ابزارهای میکسینگ بیتکوین24:53 تاریخچه میکسرهای بیتکوین - Bitcoin Mixers History28:00 ورود به داستان تورنادو کش - Tornado Cash Story30:29 استقرار قراردادهای هوشمند و مکانیزم zkSNARKs33:49 معماری فنی تورنادو کش و ویژگی‌های آن38:52 تحریم‌های OFAC و پیامدهای آن42:46 پرونده قضایی Roman Storm - Criminal Case Analysis47:19 تحلیل حقوقی «کد = بیان» - Code is Speech51:28 تاریخچه و توسعه تکنولوژی‌های Zero Knowledge01:07:38 تحلیل هک‌ها و آسیب‌پذیری‌های امنیتی01:12:13 تحریم‌ها و تأثیرات آن بر بلاکچین01:15:02 دستگیری توسعه‌دهندگان و پیامدهای قانونی01:18:06 نقش کره شمالی و گروه Lazarus در سوءاستفاده01:24:08 پرونده Alexey Pertsev و محاکمه در هلند01:26:38 تحریم‌ها و تأثیرات آن بر فناوری و آموزش01:32:45 تحریم‌ها و مسائل حقوقی پیچیده01:35:49 تحلیل دادگاه و شواهد ارائه شده01:38:52 نتایج دادگاه Roman Storm و تأثیرات آن01:41:41 تحلیل نهایی و آینده تحریم‌های OFAC01:59:26 نتایج دادگاه و Hung Jury (عدم اجماع هیئت منصفه)02:05:57 جنگ حریم خصوصی: Crypto Wars دهه ۹۰ vs امروز02:12:58 اهمیت حریم خصوصی در بلاکچین و آینده آن

Reporter David Morris breaks down the Tornado Cash trial, Roman Storm's conviction on money transmission charges, and what this means for crypto privacy and open source developers going forward.David Z Morris joins us to talk about his extensive coverage of the Tornado Cash trial. We dive deep into Roman Storm's conviction, the legal precedent for privacy tools, and the chilling effects on open source development in crypto.Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comNOTES:• Jury hung on 2 charges, guilty on 1 MTB charge• North Korea Lazarus laundered $600M• No direct OFAC-sanctioned wallets used the service• Appeal process could take years to resolveTimestamps:00:00 Start00:41 Why the Tornado Cash Story?05:06 What is Tornado Cash?11:15 What does Tornado Cash Do?14:01 Autonomous Smart Contracts19:34 Run as a Business23:57 Profits24:58 Criminal Charges31:43 Future of Open Source Development37:15 Advice for Privacy Devs42:43 Public Perception46:09 Journalism & Privacy49:10 What Happens Now?-

Episode #376: “I think it's a big win. And also people may not like to hear this, it's actually a win for sanctions,” says Erich Ferrari, founder of Ferrari & Associates and a leading U.S. sanctions attorney. In this episode, he explains the legal and procedural framework behind the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list and responds to criticism over his firm's role in recent delistings of Myanmar-linked clients. Ferrari entered sanctions law after 9/11, troubled by the lack of due process in early terrorism-related designations towards Muslim charities. His firm now handles compliance, licensing, and delisting cases, which often take years to be resolved. The SDN list includes individuals, entities, and assets sanctioned under U.S. laws or executive orders for conduct or status deemed harmful to U.S. interests, but not necessarily for any illegal acts. OFAC, within the Treasury Department, manages the list, but designations involve interagency input from bodies such as the State Department, DOJ, and CIA. Removal requires proving mistaken designation, changed circumstances, or remediation. Ferrari says arguing OFAC was wrong rarely works; the focus must be on addressing its concerns. Even after delisting, reputational and financial restrictions often persist for years. The recent delisting of four Myanmar-linked parties, including Ferrari's clients, angered Burmese communities and rights advocates. Ferrari stresses that delistings signal sanctions' effectiveness, not weakness, and are decided by the U.S. government, not lawyers. He distinguishes legal representation from prohibited lobbying and accepts only clients committed to change and truthfulness. He closes by urging those at risk to treat allegations seriously and act preemptively to avoid designation.

In this episode, Lars and Caroline break down the unexpected lull in Trans-Pacific rates, the true state of peak season in Asia–Europe, and the looming tariff deadlines that could disrupt global trade. They discuss how forward-looking indicators like the NYFI expose weak market fundamentals despite high quotes, and they unpack the IMF's latest trade outlook revisions. The episode closes with key insights on OFAC sanctions impacting container shipping and what they signal for shippers worldwide. 

The award-winning Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into a compliance-related topic, literally going into the weeds to explore a subject more fully. Seeking insightful perspectives on compliance? Look no further than Compliance into the Weeds! In this episode of Compliance into the Weeds, Tom Fox and Matt Kelly discuss two recent OFAC enforcement actions involving Harman International and Interactive Brokers and the lessons they provide for compliance professionals. Tom and Matt delve into the facts of both cases, finding under-resourced sanctions compliance programs in both companies. They highlight key issues, including inadequate personnel, misconfigured compliance tools, and a failure to conduct proper risk assessments. Despite self-disclosure and cooperation, both companies faced significant fines and were required to implement extensive remediation measures. The discussion highlights the growing importance of robust sanctions compliance programs in mitigating risks and preventing enforcement actions. Key highlights: Sanctions Enforcement Cases Overview Harman International's Compliance Failures Interactive Brokers' Compliance Issues Lessons and Final Thoughts Resources: Matt Kelly in Radical Compliance Tom Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn A multi-award-winning podcast, Compliance into the Weeds was most recently honored as one of the Top 25 Regulatory Compliance Podcasts, a Top 10 Business Law Podcast, and a Top 12 Risk Management Podcast. Compliance into the Weeds has been conferred the Davey, Communicator, and W3 Awards for podcast excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a company inherits a sanctions violation through acquisition, and acts fast to fix it? Can a robust post-acquisition response really save a parent company from prosecution? In this episode, Michael Volkov unpacks the fascinating DOJ-led global enforcement action against UNICAT Catalyst Technologies - a case that reflects the U.S. government's intensifying focus on trade enforcement across sanctions, export controls, and customs. This resolution marks the first declination under DOJ's National Security Division M&A policy, showcasing the power of voluntary disclosure, cooperation, and remediation in today's enforcement environment.You'll hear him discuss:How DOJ, OFAC, BIS, and CBP coordinated parallel resolutions against UNICATThe $3.3 million forfeiture and additional penalties tied to underpaid duties and unlawful exportsWhy DOJ declined prosecution of UNICAT's parent company, White Deer, under its M&A policyThe former CEO's role in orchestrating 23 unlawful sales to Iran, Venezuela, and CubaThe importance of identifying willful intent in sanctions violations — and when DOJ disclosure is requiredThe risks of failed pre-acquisition due diligence and the value of strong post-acquisition integrationHow concealment tactics like falsified invoices and coded emails were used to hide dealings with sanctioned entitiesKey lessons for global companies navigating the new era of trade compliance and enforcementResourcesMichael Volkov on LinkedIn | TwitterThe Volkov Law Group

This week, John and Elliot discuss key outcomes from the June FATF Plenary, OFAC enforcement actions, the DOJ's evolving stance on white collar crime, the ABA's lawsuit challenging executive orders targeting law firms, a request for comment from the US bank regulators on payment and check fraud, and other issues affecting the financial crime prevention community.

Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years published once a month. These are N of one conversations with N of one people. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the best investors of the past decade—Josh Kushner, founder and managing partner of venture firm, Thrive Capital. Josh started Thrive in 2010 and launched its first institutional fund in 2011. That first institutional fund was $40 million and, in it, Thrive led Warby Parker's Series A, invested in Instagram, and incubated a business, which Josh co-founded, called Oscar. Their portfolio is stage agnostic and their track record includes many of the best known businesses from the past decade, including Spotify, Unity, Stripe, and Twitch among many more. Please enjoy my great conversation with Josh Kushner. Subscribe to Colossus Review. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by WorkOS. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit WorkOS.com to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- This episode is brought to you by Passthrough. Passthrough streamlines subscription documents, KYC, and AML compliance, so you can focus on running your fund, not managing paperwork. New SEC Update 31 CFR hits investment firms in under a year, and managers are getting ready for it now. If you think basic OFAC screening is enough, think again. You'll need continuous monitoring of your investors and all their beneficial owners across multiple watchlists, plus a comprehensive anti money laundering program. Passthrough has already processed 50,000 LPs and built the complete solution. Don't risk SEC deficiency letters, fines, or regulatory enforcement. Visit passthrough.com to get compliant now. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.  Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @JoinColossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:14) Why do this podcast (00:08:14) The development of taste and quality  (00:12:20) CS Lewis tweet; The Inner Ring (00:18:14) Overview the founding story of Oscar Health (00:25:18) Learning to identify good problems and creating a business to solve it (00:27:43) The birth story of Thrive Capital (00:32:14) Lessons learned from creating the first three Thrive funds (00:39:44) Talent, recruiting and seeing potential in younger generations of people (00:47:40) Investments he made during the early foundation of Thrive that had significant impact (00:51:12) His analogy for investing in early versus late stage and styles of real estate investing (00:56:22) The current macro environment (01:00:57) Why he sold small stakes of Thrive (01:05:10) His philosophy on what makes a good product (01:10:10) His absence from crypto and why he refrained during the boom in 2021 (01:12:33) Thoughts about the opportunity set in FinTech today writ large (01:15:39) Lessons learned from his time spent with Marc Andreessen (01:17:43) Lessons learned from Stan Druckenmiller, Henry Kravis, and David Geffen (01:22:09) Firm values he thinks are very important (01:31:15) Vision as a key ingredient for founders (01:34:19) His view of the investment industry in the world today writ large  (01:44:48) The kindest thing anyone has ever done for him