Blab Crypto
Ireland Unveils 30-Point Crypto-Focused AML Action Plan Ahead of 2028 Evaluation
Ireland’s government unveiled a sweeping National Risk Assessment and a 30‑point action plan in early June 2026, tightening anti‑money‑laundering (AML) controls with a sharp focus on crypto‑assets.
The initiative is part of Ireland’s preparation for its 2028 international AML evaluation. Officials say the reforms address a new breed of criminal networks that blend traditional cash‑based laundering with sophisticated digital tools, including blockchain transfers and cross‑border layering.
Key elements of the plan include:
* Enhanced due‑diligence requirements for any transaction that uses crypto‑assets as a source of funds. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has been charged with drafting industry standards that will compel firms to verify the legitimacy and origin of crypto‑related funds, with implementation slated for 2027.
* Strengthened supervisory powers for regulators, allowing closer oversight of firms handling crypto‑assets and the authority to impose sanctions when necessary.
* Improved transparency around beneficial ownership of crypto‑asset holdings, with new reporting obligations that help trace the ultimate owners of digital assets.
* Enhanced coordination between financial‑crime and tax‑enforcement bodies, creating a unified approach to detecting and prosecuting hybrid laundering schemes that mix cash flows with blockchain transfers.
The action plan also signals a broader shift in Ireland’s regulatory stance. While the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) provides a harmonised framework for crypto‑assets across the bloc, Ireland’s new measures treat crypto‑assets as embedded components of financial‑crime risk rather than isolated instruments. By weaving digital‑asset controls into its AML framework, the country aims to improve detection of complex laundering schemes.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority, established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, is now the first statutory body in Ireland with licensing and enforcement powers over online gambling operators. Its expanded remit to supervise crypto‑related activities is part of a wider strategy to curb illicit finance in the gambling sector.
According to authorities, the 30‑point plan will also:
* Provide clearer guidance on applying AML rules to crypto‑asset transactions.
* Encourage the use of technology, such as blockchain analytics, to track suspicious activity.
* Promote cooperation between private‑sector firms and public‑sector agencies.
The reforms arrive amid a global trend of tightening crypto regulation. In Ireland, about 10 % of the population had invested in crypto as of December 2025, making it one of the highest‑ownership markets in the EU. The new measures aim to safeguard the integrity of the financial system while still allowing legitimate users to engage with digital assets.
Ireland’s preparations for the 2028 AML evaluation are a key driver behind the action plan. The evaluation will assess the country’s compliance with international AML standards, and the new measures are intended to demonstrate robust controls and a proactive regulatory environment.
In short, the Irish government’s 30‑point action plan introduces stricter due‑diligence rules for crypto‑assets, strengthens supervisory powers, enhances beneficial‑ownership transparency, and improves coordination between enforcement agencies. These steps are designed to counter hybrid laundering schemes and align Ireland’s regulatory framework with international expectations ahead of the 2028 AML evaluation.
The full details of the action plan and the National Risk Assessment are available on the government’s official website, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority will publish its industry standards in the coming months.
The initiative is part of Ireland’s preparation for its 2028 international AML evaluation. Officials say the reforms address a new breed of criminal networks that blend traditional cash‑based laundering with sophisticated digital tools, including blockchain transfers and cross‑border layering.
Key elements of the plan include:
* Enhanced due‑diligence requirements for any transaction that uses crypto‑assets as a source of funds. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has been charged with drafting industry standards that will compel firms to verify the legitimacy and origin of crypto‑related funds, with implementation slated for 2027.
* Strengthened supervisory powers for regulators, allowing closer oversight of firms handling crypto‑assets and the authority to impose sanctions when necessary.
* Improved transparency around beneficial ownership of crypto‑asset holdings, with new reporting obligations that help trace the ultimate owners of digital assets.
* Enhanced coordination between financial‑crime and tax‑enforcement bodies, creating a unified approach to detecting and prosecuting hybrid laundering schemes that mix cash flows with blockchain transfers.
The action plan also signals a broader shift in Ireland’s regulatory stance. While the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) provides a harmonised framework for crypto‑assets across the bloc, Ireland’s new measures treat crypto‑assets as embedded components of financial‑crime risk rather than isolated instruments. By weaving digital‑asset controls into its AML framework, the country aims to improve detection of complex laundering schemes.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority, established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, is now the first statutory body in Ireland with licensing and enforcement powers over online gambling operators. Its expanded remit to supervise crypto‑related activities is part of a wider strategy to curb illicit finance in the gambling sector.
According to authorities, the 30‑point plan will also:
* Provide clearer guidance on applying AML rules to crypto‑asset transactions.
* Encourage the use of technology, such as blockchain analytics, to track suspicious activity.
* Promote cooperation between private‑sector firms and public‑sector agencies.
The reforms arrive amid a global trend of tightening crypto regulation. In Ireland, about 10 % of the population had invested in crypto as of December 2025, making it one of the highest‑ownership markets in the EU. The new measures aim to safeguard the integrity of the financial system while still allowing legitimate users to engage with digital assets.
Ireland’s preparations for the 2028 AML evaluation are a key driver behind the action plan. The evaluation will assess the country’s compliance with international AML standards, and the new measures are intended to demonstrate robust controls and a proactive regulatory environment.
In short, the Irish government’s 30‑point action plan introduces stricter due‑diligence rules for crypto‑assets, strengthens supervisory powers, enhances beneficial‑ownership transparency, and improves coordination between enforcement agencies. These steps are designed to counter hybrid laundering schemes and align Ireland’s regulatory framework with international expectations ahead of the 2028 AML evaluation.
The full details of the action plan and the National Risk Assessment are available on the government’s official website, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority will publish its industry standards in the coming months.
