Regulators across the region are stepping up enforcement, and smaller Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) are under more pressure than ever to register and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) laws.

Put simply: registration isn’t optional — and skipping it could cost you.

Let’s be honest—regulatory language can be a lot.

Whether you’re an intern learning the ropes, a student stepping into your first compliance course, or just someone trying to make sense of all the acronyms in a meeting, the world of FATF, TBML, CFT, KYT, DNFBPs (…see?) can feel like another language.

“Hey, we’ve got your back.”

In April 2025, a lot of dreams were shattered. CBEX (Crypto Bridge Exchange), a digital trading platform that promised quick returns and easy crypto access, suddenly collapsed — leaving thousands of Nigerians worried about their hard-earned savings.

It’s a painful story, but unfortunately an increasingly common one. It’s also an important reminder: trust — real trust — is the foundation of any financial future, especially in fast-growing spaces like crypto.

“The Gatekeepers of Trust”

In Kenya—and across East Africa—lawyers, notaries, and real estate professionals are on the front lines of financial compliance. But are they equipped for the role?

In a world where crypto criminals move billions across blockchains, you might imagine a complex web of untraceable transactions. But here’s the twist: just a handful of deposit addresses handle the lion’s share of illicit crypto funds.