Brazil Demands Independent Audits for VASP Licensing
The Central Bank of Brazil has raised the compliance bar for the digital asset industry. Under Normative Instruction No. 739, the regulator now requires virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to present an independent audit to secure operational licenses.
These audits, designated as “reasonable assurance reports,” must be conducted by an entity registered with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM). The reports will evaluate several critical compliance areas:
- Adherence to institutional policies and legal frameworks;
- Organizational structure and employee training standards;
- Internal risk assessment mechanisms for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing;
- Robustness of Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
“Regulators in Latin America are moving past basic guidelines to enforce institutional-grade compliance frameworks. This shift will raise the barrier to entry but ultimately foster a more mature ecosystem,” noted a regional compliance expert.
Mexico and the EU Partner to Combat Crypto Money Laundering
During the 8th Mexico-EU Summit, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas revealed plans to collaborate on curbing global crypto-related financial crimes.
The bilateral cooperation will focus on tracking how transnational criminal organizations leverage the borderless nature of cryptocurrencies to obscure illicit funds across jurisdictions.
US Labels Brazilian Gangs as Global Terrorists Over Crypto Laundering
The US government has escalated its fight against organized crime in South America. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of Brazil’s two largest criminal factions, Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
According to US authorities, these syndicates have integrated cryptocurrency into their money laundering pipelines to sustain global operations. The designation freezes their US-linked assets and prohibits international entities from facilitating their financial transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Brazil’s new audit requirement for crypto companies?
Under Normative Instruction No. 739, VASPs must submit a “reasonable assurance report” from a CVM-registered independent auditor to obtain or maintain an operational license in Brazil.
How are Mexico and the EU collaborating on crypto?
Both jurisdictions are establishing joint security frameworks to monitor and disrupt international money laundering networks that utilize digital assets.
