The chair of the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) warned Wednesday that crypto firms are facing heightened anti-money laundering risks during the migration period after the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation came into force. The statement, issued on July 15, 2026, underscores the challenges of adapting to new requirements as the industry shifts from national regimes to a unified EU framework.
What the AMLA chair said
Speaking in Brussels, the AMLA chair said the post-MiCA transition period creates a window where some crypto firms may fall short of their AML obligations. The regulator pointed to gaps in how companies are implementing customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting under the new rules. The chair called on national competent authorities to step up oversight and urged crypto firms to treat the migration as a priority, not a grace period.
Why the transition matters
MiCA, the EU's landmark crypto regulation, began applying to most crypto-asset service providers earlier this year. But the shift from patchwork national laws to a single rulebook doesn't happen overnight. Many firms are still migrating their compliance systems, and the AMLA chair's warning suggests that some are moving too slowly. The authority is particularly concerned about smaller players that may lack the resources to overhaul their AML controls in time.
What firms need to do now
The AMLA chair stressed that crypto firms must treat the transition as a live compliance exercise, not a waiting period. That means updating risk assessments, training staff on the new thresholds, and ensuring that reporting lines to financial intelligence units are fully operational. The regulator also reminded firms that AMLA will begin conducting its own direct supervision of certain high-risk entities later this year, meaning the window to get ready is closing.
What comes next
AMLA is expected to publish detailed guidance for crypto firms in the coming weeks, clarifying how it will assess compliance during the migration. The chair's warning sets the tone: the authority is watching, and it expects the industry to treat AML obligations as a baseline, not an afterthought. For firms still relying on pre-MiCA setups, the clock is ticking.
