In 2025 the financial sector is experiencing a unique moment: according to EY, 72% of international investors consider compliance in financial services the main criterion of trust when choosing a partner or jurisdiction. At the same time, global fines for AML violations and sanctions regimes exceeded $6.5 billion in the past 12 months alone, and the number of regulatory inspections increased by 30% in the EU and Asia.
Here you will find answers to key questions: how to build an effective compliance system, increase investor trust, minimize risks and use the regulatory changes of 2025 as a growth point.
Compliance in financial services: what it is and why it’s needed?
Understanding what compliance is and why it is needed is especially important for the sustainable development of the financial organizations themselves and the protection of their clients.
Compliance and the resilience of financial organizations
The resilience of financial organizations is impossible without a mature compliance system. In recent years, the COREDO team has implemented projects where it was precisely the compliance culture and regular employee training that allowed clients not only to minimize the risks of financial crime but also to increase operational resilience amid tightening regulation. The implementation of corporate governance, transparency and accountability principles becomes an integral part of the risk management strategy in the financial sector. COREDO’s practice confirms: companies investing in the development of a compliance culture show higher resilience indicators and adapt faster to new regulatory requirements.
According to the European Banking Authority (EBA), companies with a developed internal control system and regular AML/CFT training reduce the likelihood of incidents by 40% compared to the market.
Compliance with financial services regulations in the EU, Asia and Africa
EU financial regulation, as well as the requirements of regulators in Singapore, the United Kingdom, the UAE and Cyprus, impose not only high standards of transparency on companies but also strict requirements for data protection, data localization and consideration of the specifics of local laws. Solutions developed at COREDO take into account the impact of the 2025 regulatory changes: for example, new EU directives on ESG, the expansion of MAS’s powers in Singapore, and the tightening of controls over digital assets and CBDCs.
Particular attention is paid to compliance with GDPR and data localization. The implementation of hybrid models of data storage and processing allows our clients to ensure compliance not only with European but also Asian privacy standards, which becomes critically important in cross-border operations and business scaling.
AML services for business – what they include and why they are needed?
Understanding *what such services include* and *why they are needed* is critically important for international companies facing different legal requirements and levels of threat.
Best AML practices for international business
Combating money laundering in Europe and Asia requires not only knowledge of FATF standards but also the ability to adapt AML processes to the specifics of each jurisdiction. COREDO’s experience shows that it is the flexible configuration of KYC and Due Diligence procedures, integration of automated transaction monitoring systems and regular audits that allow international companies to effectively manage risks and meet regulators’ expectations.
This solution reduced operational costs by 25% and accelerated compliance screening for new clients.
Assessing the effectiveness and ROI of compliance and AML programs
Assessing the ROI of compliance programs is a task the COREDO team approaches systematically. We use a set of KPIs: the number of prevented incidents, transaction processing speed, the level of false positives in AML systems, as well as a direct comparison of compliance costs with savings on fines and reputational losses.
According to a Deloitte study, companies that regularly assess the effectiveness of compliance programs achieve increased trust from partners and regulators 30% faster.
Registration of legal entities and company support abroad
Registration of legal entities and company support abroad: this is a strategic step for entrepreneurs seeking to enter new markets and strengthen their business position on the international stage. The process opens access to promising jurisdictions and new opportunities and requires close attention to the specific legal nuances of each country.
In this section we will examine the key aspects of establishing legal entities abroad and effectively supporting companies in the EU, Asia and Africa.
Registration of legal entities in the EU, Asia and Africa
Registration of legal entities in the EU, Singapore, the UAE and a number of African countries requires a deep understanding of local regulatory requirements and the specifics of corporate law. COREDO’s practice confirms: the key to success is not only the correct preparation of founding documents but also the competent construction of ownership structures to minimize tax and legal risks.
For example, in Singapore company registration is possible only through licensed providers (Registered Filing Agent), and for certain types of activities (financial services, brokerage, fintech) obtaining special licenses and approvals from ACRA and MAS is required. In the Czech Republic and Estonia the emphasis is on transparency of beneficial ownership and compliance with AML/CFT requirements. In Africa, by contrast, special attention is paid to data localization and consumer protection.
Licensing and account opening for financial business
Obtaining licenses for crypto, payment, banking and forex services is a distinct challenge for international companies. COREDO’s solutions include comprehensive preparation for licensing audits, support for communications with regulators (FCA, MAS, EBA), as well as assistance in opening accounts in foreign banks where due diligence and AML requirements are becoming increasingly strict.
Digital transformation of compliance in finance
Digital transformation of compliance in finance today means not just implementing new technologies, but a profound change in work standards, interaction formats and the financial products themselves. By 2025, decentralized systems, digital assets and CBDCs come to the fore, requiring businesses to adopt fundamentally new approaches to compliance and control.
Digital assets and CBDC: compliance in 2025
The emergence of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and the growth in digital asset turnover require companies to adopt new approaches to compliance and risk management. The COREDO team analyzes the impact of these trends on the architecture of AML/KYC processes and develops solutions that take into account the specifics of working with tokenized assets, smart contracts and cross-border payments.
In 2025, EU and Asian regulators tighten requirements for the traceability of digital currencies, while MAS and the FCA introduce new standards for monitoring cryptoasset transactions. The introduction of artificial intelligence into compliance systems enables COREDO to offer clients tools for automatic anomaly detection and early fraud prevention.
Automation of compliance solutions and scaling
Automation of AML processes and integration of fraud detection technologies become critically important when scaling a business. COREDO’s experience shows that implementing modular solutions based on machine learning and cloud platforms not only improves the quality of compliance monitoring but also provides flexibility when entering new markets.
Scaling strategies for AML and compliance solutions developed by COREDO allow clients to quickly adapt to new regulatory requirements and maintain a high level of trust from partners.
Thus, modern approaches to automating AML and fraud detection become an integral part of comprehensive risk management and ensuring the resilience of financial organizations.
Risk management and resilience in finance
risk management and resilience in finance: this is the foundation of reliable operation for any organization in conditions of uncertainty. Effective identification, assessment and mitigation of risks directly affect a company’s financial stability and enable sustainable long-term development. In current conditions, management of areas such as financial crime and sanctions risk becomes particularly important.
Managing risks of financial crime and sanctions
In 2025, sanctions regimes become increasingly complex and dynamic, especially for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. COREDO’s analysis shows that key risks are associated not only with direct financial losses but also with reputational threats and the blocking of international operations.
This allows timely identification of potential violations and adjustment of business processes before critical consequences occur.
Ensuring operational resilience amid geopolitical instability
Geopolitical factors are increasingly affecting compliance in the financial sector. Operational resilience is becoming a priority: COREDO develops scenario response plans for clients, as well as tools for rapid relocation of critical functions between jurisdictions.
Confidence in compliance for financial services – practical steps
- The development and implementation of compliance systems in financial companies begins with an audit of current processes, assessment of the maturity of the compliance culture and identification of key risk areas. The COREDO team uses international standards (FATF, EBA, MAS) and best practices to build effective monitoring and internal control systems.
- Developing a sustainable finance strategy requires integrating ESG factors, taking into account new regulatory requirements and continuous engagement with regulators. COREDO’s solutions allow clients not only to comply with standards but also to use compliance as a tool to attract investment and increase trust.
- Increasing financial inclusion and protecting customers become possible through the implementation of digital platforms, automation of KYC/AML and consideration of the specifics of local markets. COREDO’s practice confirms: a flexible approach to compliance allows expanding the customer base without increasing risks.
- Choosing reliable partners for legal support and AML services is a key success factor when entering new markets. COREDO’s experience shows: comprehensive support at all stages: from company registration to obtaining licenses and implementing new standards – ensures clients sustainable growth and minimization of operational and reputational risks.
Key findings and recommendations
Confidence in compliance is not only formal adherence to requirements, but also a strategic asset that determines the long-term success of a financial business. COREDO’s practice proves: a systematic approach to risk management, the adoption of innovative technologies and continuous monitoring of regulatory changes not only minimize threats but also use compliance as a growth driver.
- invest in developing a compliance culture and employee training;
- regularly assess the effectiveness of compliance and AML programs using key metrics;
- integrate digital solutions to automate and scale compliance processes;
- build partnerships with experts who have deep knowledge of international standards and local specifics.
In the fast-changing conditions of 2025, it is confidence in compliance that distinguishes market leaders from followers. The COREDO team is ready to be your reliable partner on this journey – providing not only expert support, but also strategic solutions that work for your success today and tomorrow.