A New Era for UK Company Transparency: Compulsory Identity Verification
In a significant step to improve corporate transparency and bolster fraud prevention, Companies House has confirmed that starting 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for company directors and persons of significant control (PSCs). This initiative, part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, represents a decisive step toward establishing a more secure and reliable Companies House register.
A Strategic Alliance to Fortify South Sudan’s Financial Infrastructure
In a move that indicates deepening financial cooperation, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) and the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) have formalized a wide-ranging memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 13th August, 2025. This collaboration establishes a structured framework for enhancing security printing, card-based payment systems, and technical capacity in South Sudan’s banking sector. The signing took place in Abu Dhabi, with both nations’ senior leaders in attendance, reflecting the diplomatic importance of the occasion.
Dubai’s VARA Imposes Fines on Morpheus Software Technology FZE
On 18 August 2025, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) Dubai’s dedicated regulator for digital assets issued a formal Notice of Fines against Morpheus Software Technology FZE, also known as Fuze, signaling a crucial moment for regulatory enforcement in the region’s virtual asset sector.
UAE and UK Deepen Cooperation in Fight Against Illicit Finance
In an era of increasingly sophisticated financial crimes that transcend national borders, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed and strengthened their commitment to uprooting illicit finance. Over a two-day strategic dialogue, held in London on 2–3 September 2025, officials from both countries met to share intelligence, align regulatory frameworks, and enhance joint operational capacity. The meeting marks another significant milestone in an evolving partnership dedicated to securing the international financial system.
FATF’s National Risk Assessment Toolkit
On 28 August 2025, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) unveiled a major new resource to help countries identify, assess, and manage their risk of money laundering (ML). This is the Money Laundering National Risk Assessment (NRA) Toolkit, designed to support nations in applying the FATF Standards more effectively and in a risk-based manner.
