New requirements for KYC AML procedures in the EU and CIS from 2025

Nikita Veremeev

01.08.2025 | 6 min read

Updated: 01.08.2025

Today, businesses face unprecedented complexity in EU AML legislation, tightened controls on beneficial ownership transparency, and the need to integrate digital onboarding and eKYC. Moreover, companies from the CIS entering European and Asian markets face challenges of cross-jurisdictional compliance, differences in due diligence procedures, and the necessity to comply with FATF recommendations by 2025.

As CEO of COREDO, I see daily how these challenges transform the market and require new strategies from businesses. In this article, I will detail the key changes to KYC procedures in 2025 and EU AML requirements, share practical solutions that the COREDO team has implemented for clients in the EU, Singapore, Dubai, and the CIS, and provide specific recommendations on how to prepare your business for the new standards. If you want not just to survive the era of regulatory changes but to use them as a competitive advantage, read to the end. Here you will find not only an in-depth analysis but also practical steps for effective AML/KYC compliance.

KYC for Business in the EU and CIS 2025

Illustration for the section "KYC for Business in the EU and CIS 2025" in the article "New Requirements for KYC-AML Procedures in the EU and CIS from 2025"

KYC for business in the EU and CIS in 2025 becomes a key tool for ensuring transparency and preventing financial crimes in conducting international activities. It is important to note that KYC requirements can vary significantly between different jurisdictions, with regulators tightening controls and increasing responsibilities for non-compliance with standards. Below, we will discuss which KYC standards will be relevant for companies in 2025 in these regions.

KYC Standards for Companies in 2025

Starting in 2025, businesses in the EU and CIS are required to implement customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) based on a risk-based approach. The new KYC 2025 standards require mandatory electronic identification of clients (eKYC) using digital onboarding and remote verification, as established in the updated eIDAS requirements and the EU’s AML directives (6AMLD).

COREDO’s practice confirms: implementing platforms with automated document verification, biometric identification, and integration with state registries allows not only to speed up onboarding but also significantly reduce operational risks. For instance, a project launching digital onboarding for a European payment provider reduced the client verification time from 3 days to 40 minutes while the false positive rate in sanctions screening dropped by 60%.

Identification of Business Beneficiaries

From 2025, the verification of beneficiaries (beneficial ownership transparency) becomes mandatory, including identification of the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO), source of funds verification, and continuous client status monitoring. Beneficiary ownership registers in the EU are now integrated with national and international systems, requiring businesses to maintain transparency in ownership structure and regularly update data.

A solution developed by COREDO for a large holding with offices in the Czech Republic and Estonia allowed the automation of the collection and verification of beneficiary data, the implementation of continuous customer monitoring, and effective sanctions screening including PEP and their associates. This approach minimizes the risks of fines and account freezes and facilitates interactions with regulators.

KYC for CIS Companies and International Deals

CIS companies entering the EU markets face additional challenges: differences in KYC standards, the absence of a unified beneficiary registry, and the complexity of cross-border payments compliance.

For instance, company registration in Singapore or Dubai requires the integration of remote verification and eKYC procedures as well as compliance with the harmonization of standards between the EU and Asian jurisdictions. Our experience shows that only a comprehensive strategy including due diligence procedures, cross-jurisdictional compliance, and regular compliance audits allows for risk minimization and sustainable business development.

In the face of rapid changes in the EU regulatory framework, preparation for the new AML requirements in 2025 becomes critically important for a successful expansion into European markets.

EU AML Requirements 2025, Business Changes

Illustration for the section "EU AML Requirements 2025, Business Changes" in the article "New Requirements for KYC-AML Procedures in the EU and CIS from 2025"

In 2025, EU AML requirements undergo significant changes that impact a wide range of businesses – from financial institutions to crypto companies and new sectors. For businesses, this means not only tighter control and procedures but also the need to review and adapt their internal regulations to the new regulatory standards.

6AMLD and AMLR: What Changed?

From 2025, the 6th EU AML directive (6AMLD) and AMLR regulation come into force, strengthening AML/KYC compliance requirements for all financial market participants. Key innovations include the expansion of the list of predicate offences, the establishment of a single European anti-money laundering authority (AMLA), enhanced reporting obligations, and increased penalties for violations.

COREDO’s team implemented a project for an international investment fund where new suspicious activity reporting (SAR) procedures and internal control automation allowed not only compliance with new requirements but also increased the company’s investment attractiveness through transparency of compliance processes.

Monitoring and Reporting of Suspicious Activities

In 2025, transaction monitoring becomes fully automated: transaction monitoring systems with AI support, transaction scoring, AML filters for sanction lists, and PEP monitoring are implemented. New standards require continuous operation analysis, detection of unusual patterns, and immediate reporting on suspicious activities (SAR).

Implementing such systems at COREDO for a European fintech startup enabled the integration of machine learning into KYC and AML, improved the accuracy of detecting suspicious transactions, and reduced the costs associated with manual data processing. As a result, the company successfully passed a compliance officer audit and received a license for payment services in the EU.

Preventing Money Laundering: Control

The 2025 money laundering prevention policy requires not only formal procedures but their deep integration into the company’s internal processes. Compliance officer duties include regular internal AML/KYC audits, the implementation of whistleblowing procedures, self-assessment compliance, and outsourcing of certain functions if necessary.

COREDO’s experience shows that an effective internal control policy is not just about compliance but a tool for risk management and enhancing trust from partners and investors. Implementing automated compliance audits and regular employee training minimizes the human factor and increases the business’s resilience to regulatory changes.

KYC/AML Automation: Trends 2025

Illustration for the section "KYC/AML Automation: Trends 2025" in the article "New Requirements for KYC-AML Procedures in the EU and CIS from 2025"

KYC/AML automation becomes a key trend in 2025, allowing businesses to respond more quickly to new challenges and more effectively counter financial fraud. The development of technologies, including artificial intelligence and anti-fraud integration, forms new standards in client verification and money laundering prevention.

KYC Automation and Anti-Fraud Integration

In 2025, KYC process automation and anti-fraud system integration become standards for companies working with fintech, payment services, and cryptocurrencies. The use of AI, digital onboarding, KYC utilities, and anti-fraud tools not only speeds up the identification processes but also improves client verification quality.

The COREDO team implemented a platform for one of the large European merchant aggregators, which combines automated KYC, transaction scoring, and integration with external anti-fraud services. This approach ensures a high level of identity theft prevention and effectively identifies high-risk clients at early stages of interaction.

GDPR and AML/KYC: How to Comply with Requirements?

One of the main challenges of 2025 becomes balancing between GDPR requirements and AML/KYC. Data protection, the implementation of eIDAS, and electronic identification require companies to strictly adhere to data privacy vs. AML principles, especially during remote verification and digital onboarding.

A solution implemented by COREDO for a fintech company in Estonia allowed the integration of AML/KYC compliance with internal IT systems, ensured automatic reporting, GDPR compliance, and enhanced client trust through transparency in data processing.

AML in Fintech and Cryptocurrencies

AML for crypto and fintech businesses in 2025 requires a special approach: implementing KYC for crypto companies, using blockchain and AML, participating in regulatory sandboxes, and continuously updating procedures in line with FATF recommendations.

COREDO’s practice shows that only adaptive AML/KYC processes based on machine learning and continuous customer monitoring allow fintech companies and crypto businesses to successfully pass Licensing and scale operations in international markets.

Effective management of these processes is impossible without the involvement of a qualified compliance officer, whose role becomes crucial at all stages of AML/KYC.

The Role of a Compliance Officer in AML/KYC Business

Illustration for the section "The Role of a Compliance Officer in AML/KYC Business" in the article "New Requirements for KYC-AML Procedures in the EU and CIS from 2025"

The role of a compliance officer in AML/KYC business is becoming increasingly key, as these specialists are responsible for building, implementing, and continuously improving the systems combating financial crimes. In modern realities, the compliance officer ensures compliance with AML and KYC requirements, acting as a liaison between the business and the regulator.

Duties of a Compliance Officer in 2025

In 2025, the duties of a compliance officer go beyond classic monitoring: a deep understanding of AML/KYC standards, conducting regular compliance audits, implementing whistleblowing, and managing internal policies are required. The legal responsibility of compliance officers for non-compliance with the new standards significantly increases, necessitating continuous training and the integration of new technologies.

The COREDO team, in accompanying clients in the UK and Slovakia, implemented an internal audit system that allows compliance officers to promptly identify and eliminate discrepancies and prepare the company for regulatory inspections.

Preparing for Audits and Company Inspections

Legal business support in the EU and CIS in 2025 includes preparation for compliance audits, self-assessment compliance, and the formation of reports according to new standards. It is important not only to have formal policies but to ensure their actual implementation in practice.

A solution implemented by COREDO for an international holding included checklists for audits, data collection automation, and integration with state registries. This approach significantly reduces preparation time for inspections and the risk of fines.

How to Reduce Risks and Costs for AML/KYC

COREDO’s experience shows that compliance cost optimization is possible through the introduction of technologies, outsourcing some functions, and selecting effective platforms for KYC/AML. For example, transferring to cloud compliance platforms with AI support allowed one of the clients to reduce AML costs by 35% without compromising quality.

Best practices for risk management include regular reviews of the risk-based approach, client segmentation by risk, transaction monitoring automation, and staff training. This approach ensures not only compliance with new standards but also the long-term sustainability of the business.

AML and KYC: Comparison of the EU and CIS

Illustration for the section "AML and KYC: Comparison of the EU and CIS" in the article "New Requirements for KYC-AML Procedures in the EU and CIS from 2025"

In recent years, regulation in the field of AML and KYC has changed significantly, and comparing the approaches of the EU and CIS becomes especially relevant for financial organizations. Standards and practices for combating money laundering and customer identification form different requirements and procedures, affecting both day-to-day activities and strategic business decisions.

Differences in EU and CIS Legislation

Criterion	EU (2025)	CIS (2025)
KYC Procedures	Unified standards, EDD, eKYC	Variability, paper-based processes
Beneficiary Verification	Full transparency, UBO registers	Partial transparency
Transaction Monitoring	Automation, AI, scoring	Manual monitoring, selectively
Sanctions for Violations	High fines, AMLA control	Lower fines, local regulators
Digital Onboarding	Standardized, eIDAS	Partially implemented

Comparing EU and CIS requirements shows that companies operating in multiple markets must consider differences in approaches to customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and sanctions for violations. The EU dominates in automation, transparency, and strict control, while the CIS displays variability in procedures and local regulatory features.

Harmonization of Standards and Business: What to Know

The harmonization of AML standards between the EU and CIS becomes a strategic task for international businesses. The role of FATF in unifying requirements, the introduction of regulatory sandboxes, and the development of cross-border operations open new opportunities for companies ready to invest in compliance.

COREDO’s experience shows that the implementation of KYC/AML in the B2B segment, company registration in Asia and Africa, as well as integration with international platforms, allows businesses not only to meet the requirements of different jurisdictions but also to increase investment attractiveness through transparency and sustainability of compliance processes.

Practical Recommendations for Business

Summary of Key Changes:

From 2025, KYC procedures in the EU and CIS require automation, the implementation of eKYC, digital onboarding, and continuous client monitoring.
EU AML requirements are tightened: 6AMLD, AMLR, new fines, a single agency AMLA, expanded reporting obligations.
The compliance officer becomes a key figure responsible for internal audit, whistleblowing implementation, and staff training.
Technologies (AI, machine learning, anti-fraud tools) allow cost optimization and increase compliance efficiency.

Checklist for Preparing a Company for New KYC/AML Standards:

Perform an audit of current KYC/AML procedures.
Implement digital onboarding and eKYC considering eIDAS requirements.
Update the policy for beneficiary verification and source of funds verification.
Automate transaction monitoring and integrate anti-fraud systems.
Appoint a compliance officer with expanded powers.
Ensure GDPR compliance in personal data processing.
Prepare the company for compliance audit and interaction with regulators.

Recommendations for Choosing Technologies and Partners:

Evaluate the ROI of implementing new AML/KYC platforms.
Use solutions supported by AI and automation.
Choose partners with experience in cross-jurisdictional compliance and deep knowledge of EU, CIS, Asia, and Africa legislation.

Advice on Reducing Risks and Costs:

Regularly review the risk-based approach and client segmentation.
Outsource some compliance functions to optimize costs.
Implement staff training and internal whistleblowing procedures.

COREDO’s practice confirms that timely adaptation to new KYC/AML standards is not only a regulatory requirement but a strategic asset for international business development. Readiness for changes, investment in technology, and partnership with COREDO experts will ensure your business’s sustainability and competitive advantage in the global market.