UK Announces Anti-Corruption Strategy Targeting Crypto and Sanctions Evasion
On December 8, 2025, UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy unveiled a new Anti-Corruption Strategy aimed at strengthening enforcement, closing gaps in financial crime, and curbing crypto-enabled sanctions evasion.
The strategy is built on three main pillars: intensifying the crackdown on corrupt actors through enhanced enforcement and reforms in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF); improving ethics and transparency in public life; and fostering closer international cooperation to deter illicit finance.
Key measures include doubling the number of specialist anti-corruption officers, reforming whistleblowing mechanisms, increasing ownership transparency, and tightening AML/CTF supervisory systems along with rules on Business Appointments.
Authorities cited the UK criminal economy as laundering over $133 billion annually, with domestic bribe offers in 2024 reaching 117,000 incidents valued at more than $400 million.
Highlighting the role of crypto assets as channels for sanctions evasion and money laundering, the plan aims to make the UK harder to exploit and restore public trust. The strategy acknowledges expert critiques regarding integrity gaps related to politics.
Additionally, the Foreign Office will host an international Illicit Finance Summit in June 2026, bringing together governments, civil society, and major banks to build a global coalition against dirty money, focusing on areas such as property, crypto-assets, and illicit gold.
