Ireland has launched its first National Anti-Money Laundering, Countering Financing of Terrorism and Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CTPF) Strategy, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to strengthen its financial crime framework.
The strategy, launched by Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris on 13 August 2026, sets out a nationwide plan to prevent criminals, fraudsters and terrorist financiers from using Ireland’s financial system to move or hide illegal funds.
The government said the strategy follows the publication of Ireland’s 2026 National Risk Assessment on money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
It is built around five key priorities: improving national coordination, better understanding financial crime risks, strengthening regulation, building capabilities across government and the private sector, and increasing international cooperation.
The government described the plan as one of the most significant strengthening efforts of Ireland’s anti-money laundering framework in years.
New Controls Target Crypto-Asset Risks
Crypto-assets are a major focus of the new strategy as authorities seek to prevent digital currencies from being used to move illicit funds anonymously.
Ireland plans to strengthen anti-money laundering rules for crypto-assets and crypto transfers. New requirements will include enhanced checks on transfers involving private crypto wallets, as well as stricter due diligence when crypto-asset service providers deal with overseas crypto firms.
The government said that legislation to implement anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework is already well advanced.
The strategy also addresses the use of crypto-related funds in the gambling sector. Ireland plans to introduce industry standards covering the acceptance of crypto-related activities as a source of funds for gambling.
According to the government’s broader plans, these standards are expected to be implemented by the second half of 2027.
The measures come as Ireland continues to assess the risks associated with digital assets. The country published its first national crypto-related risk assessment in seven years in June, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards around the sector.
Intensive Measures to Disrupt Criminal Networks
Ireland’s new strategy extends beyond cryptocurrency and includes several measures designed to make it more difficult for criminals to conceal the proceeds of crime.
The government plans to increase transparency around company ownership and introduce new disclosure requirements for limited partnerships and other corporate structures considered higher risk. It also intends to modernize financial intelligence systems so authorities can better identify, trace, and disrupt criminal financial networks.
Information sharing will be strengthened between government departments, An Garda Síochána, Revenue, FIU Ireland, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Central Bank and financial institutions.
Authorities will also improve their ability to detect cyber-enabled fraud, sanctions evasion and other emerging financial threats.
The strategy places particular emphasis on sectors vulnerable to money laundering, including gambling, while also supporting Ireland’s preparations for its next Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation.
Launching the strategy, Simon Harris said: “Ireland will not be a safe place to launder criminal proceeds.”
He added that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are using “new technologies, crypto-assets and complex international financial networks to conceal criminal profits.”
Implementation of the strategy is already underway, with the Irish government saying cooperation between regulators, law enforcement, government agencies and the private sector will be essential to delivering the reforms.
