OCC Announces Deputy Comptrollers for Chartering, Organization and Structure

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced the promotions of Jason Almonte and Sebastian Astrada to Deputy Comptrollers for Chartering, Organization and Structure (CO&S). In their new roles, they will set policies and provide executive direction on federal bank applications, chartering, and corporate activities. The announcement highlights their experience with digital asset filings, de novo charter applications, and business combinations.

Prohibition on Use of Reputation Risk by Regulators: Final Rule

The OCC and FDIC issued a joint final rule prohibiting banking regulators from using reputation risk as a basis for supervisory criticism or adverse action against institutions. The rule also bars agencies from requiring or encouraging banks to terminate or modify relationships with third parties based on political, social, religious views, constitutionally protected speech, or lawful but politically disfavored activities. The rule codifies the agencies' removal of reputation risk from their supervisory frameworks and will take effect 60 days after Federal Register publication.

AML/CFT Program Requirements Proposed Rule - Joint Consultation

Three federal banking regulators (FDIC, OCC, NCUA) jointly published a proposed rule to modernize AML/CFT program requirements for supervised banks and credit unions. The amendments would align agency regulations with the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and FinCEN requirements, including risk-based program design, explicit customer due diligence integration, and a new FinCEN consultation framework. The proposal requires comments within 60 days of Federal Register publication.

Operation Prince: Inside a $15 billion crypto fraud takedown

ACAMS Today published an analysis of Operation Prince, a major law enforcement action targeting a cryptocurrency fraud scheme estimated at $15 billion. The article, authored by Ari Redbord, examines the fraud mechanics, regulatory response, and implications for compliance professionals in the digital asset space.

Threat finance: Cryptocurrencies, covert funds and advanced detection

ACAMS published a member perspective article by Dr. Robert Pakla on threat finance trends involving cryptocurrencies and covert fund detection methods. The article discusses emerging patterns in illicit finance and advanced detection technologies for identifying suspicious cryptocurrency transactions.

2026 U.S. Risk Assessments Redefine Financial Crime and National Security Priorities

ACAMS published an analysis on March 13, 2026 examining how the 2026 U.S. risk assessments are reshaping financial crime and national security priorities for compliance professionals and financial institutions. The article discusses emerging trends in anti-money laundering enforcement and strategic priorities that institutions should monitor.

Agentic workflows for financial crime

ACAMS published a member perspective article examining how agentic AI workflows can be applied to financial crime compliance. The article discusses practical implementation approaches for using autonomous AI agents in transaction monitoring, fraud detection, and suspicious activity reporting. The piece targets compliance professionals and financial crime specialists seeking to understand emerging applications of artificial intelligence in anti-money laundering operations.

Global Shift Toward Outcomes-Based Anti-Financial Crime Frameworks

ACAMS published an analysis examining the global trend toward outcomes-based approaches in anti-financial crime (AFC) compliance frameworks. The piece discusses how regulators and financial institutions are shifting from traditional activity-based compliance toward measuring actual outcomes and effectiveness. This analysis is directed at compliance professionals and AML specialists within financial institutions.

BOL-148 substance abuse treatment method patent grant to Ceruvia Lifesciences

The USPTO granted patent US12594272B2 to Ceruvia Lifesciences LLC covering a method of treating substance abuse using 2-bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide (BOL-148). The patent contains 6 claims and was filed on March 25, 2021, with Carey Turnbull listed as the inventor.

Rhamnolipid compositions with antibiotics, UNC Chapel Hill patent

The USPTO granted patent US12594289B2 to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on April 7, 2026, covering compositions combining biosurfactants (rhamnolipids) with antibiotics to enhance antibacterial potency against infections. The patent includes 18 claims and names Brian Conlon, Sarah Conlon, and Lauren Radlinski as inventors.