The new EU anti-money laundering package: what changes for businesses and providers

The new EU anti-money laundering package: what changes for businesses and providers‍

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Introduction: What's new compared to last year

The 2025 represents a turning point for all companies operating in the field of compliance, of financial services and Commercials. With the approval of the European regulatory package known as “AML Package”, the regulatory framework changes radically compared to that of last year.

Until 2024, anti-money laundering rules were mostly managed in a fragmented manner at the national level, with significant differences between the various member countries of the European Union. Now, instead, we are moving on to a model centralized and uniform. The Single European Regulation (Single Rulebook) will replace local regulations, while the creation of a centralized authority, theAMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Authority), will ensure direct supervision over people at high risk.

Added to this are new obligations that affect not only banks and insurance, but also operators previously excluded, like the cryptocurrency platforms, the crowdfunding sites, the sports operators And the luxury goods and cultural heritage merchants. Companies will have to strengthen controls on customers with assets greater than 50 million euros and respect more stringent limits on cash payments, fixed to 10,000 euros. These changes require us to review not only individual operational details, but the entire approach to risk and compliance management.

The heart of the reform: a new regulatory architecture

The European package approved in 2024 is based on three fundamental pillars. The first is the EU Regulation 2024/1624, called Single Rulebook, which establishes common and binding rules for all member countries, eliminating national differences. The second is the VI Anti-Money Laundering Directive (EU 2024/1640), which updates the legal framework and strengthens cooperation between competent authorities. The third is the EU Regulation 2024/1620, which formally establishes theAMLA, the new European supervisory authority.

This reform aims to make the fight against recycling And to Financing of terrorism more effective and integrated, increasing transparency and strengthening the stability and integrity of the European market.

The main implications for companies

For many businesses, the expansion of obligated entities represents the main innovation. If before banks, insurance companies and financial intermediaries were the protagonists of adequate customer verification activities (KYC and KYB), today the obligation also extends to cryptocurrency-related service providers, all crowdfunding platforms, ouch professional sports clubs And ouch merchants of luxury goods and works of art.

The controls themselves change: companies will have to carry out a reinforced verification of customers with assets greater than 50 million euros and respect a New limit on cash payments of 10,000 euros, with specific exceptions. In addition, they intensify the reporting obligations for suspicious transactions and the rules for management and archiving of customer documentation.

These updates require a concrete adjustment not only at the level of internal procedures, but also on the floor technological. Companies will need to update their computer systems to ensure digital identification and timely monitoring of operations, review the organizational policies to align with the new European provisions and initiate plans for specific training for staff. In addition, high-risk providers will need to prepare for the possibility of being supervised directly by the AMLA.

The role of the AMLA

Dal July 1, 2025 It will be operational onAMLA, the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority, based in Frankfurt. This new body will not limit itself to coordinating the Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) national, but it will also have the power to directly supervise those considered to be more risky And say issue binding guidelines.

This centralization represents an absolute novelty: whereas in the past supervision was entrusted to individual member states, now companies will have to deal with an authority European able to dictate uniform standards and ensure greater consistency in the application of the rules.

How companies can prepare: INEO's support

For Italian companies, the adaptation to the new regulations represents a complex challenge, but also a precious opportunity. Facing these changes promptly means not only avoid risks and penalties, but also to build a stronger governance And a more reliable business reputation.

INEO is ready to support businesses on three main levels. It offers personalized advice to analyze the impact of the new rules and define effective adjustment strategies. It provides advanced technological solutions for digital identification, anti-fraud control and automation of KYC and KYB processes.

Practical tools and deadlines not to forget

To better prepare, companies should map their internal processes to identify any gaps with respect to the new requirements, update the software and monitoring systems, review the operational policies, start a internal training plan and keep under control the main regulatory deadlines.

The most important dates to remember are: the July 1, 2025, when the AMLA becomes operational; the July 10, 2027, when the anti-money laundering regulation will be fully applied across the EU; and the 2029, deadline for certain sectoral derogations.

Conclusion

The new European anti-money laundering package represents a fundamental step for the entire world of compliance. Preparing today means transforming a regulatory obligation into a Strategic lever to strengthen internal processes, increase transparency and increase market confidence. INEO is ready to support Italian companies on this path, helping them to seize every opportunity deriving fromregulatory and technological innovation.

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