You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, April 13 BIS reached an Administrative Enforcement Settlement with Coastal PVA Technology, Inc. The company exported semiconductor-related brushes to Chinese Entity List companies (SMIC Beijing and SMIC North) on 18 occasions without the required BIS license, due to inadequate export compliance controls. The company settled with BIS, admitting the violations and agreeing to a $1.7 million c

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, April 6 There was no major development on this day. Tuesday, April 7 In a major AML-related development, FinCEN issued a proposed rule that would significantly reshape how financial institutions design and operate their AML/CFT programs under the Bank Secrecy Act. The proposal supersedes FinCEN's July 2024 proposed rule, which is being withdrawn. The core shift is from "checkbox compliance"

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 30 OFAC issued amended Russia-related General License 131D under Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, which extended General License 131C for one more month through May 1, 2026. As a reminder, this General License authorizes certain transactions pertaining to the negotiation of and entry into contingent contracts for the sale or transfer of Lukoil International Gm

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 23 OFSI published a new guidance document titled "How to use exceptions and licenses to comply with sanctions." The guidance explains the difference between exceptions and licenses under the UK sanctions regulations. ( Here ) Tuesday, March 24 OFAC issued Venezuela-related General License 53, "Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States." This General License

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You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 9 The U.S. Department of State designated the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The group was also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective March 16, 2026. The armed wing of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, the al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, which was previously designated under the Sudan and Darfur sanctions program of

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 2 The EU Council extended the sanctions imposed pursuant to Decision 2014/119/CFSP, which imposes sanctions against certain persons, entities, and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine, that were set to expire on March 6, 2026, for another year until March 6, 2027.( Here ) OFSI delisted Al-Nusra Front. ( Here ) OFAC imposed blocking sanctions against four individuals and one enti

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, February 23 On the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU's effort to introduce its 21st sanctions package against Russia fell short. However, the EU Council extended some of its sanctions against Russia that were set to expire on February 24, 2026, for another year until February 24, 2027. ( Here ) Furthermore, the EU Council imposed asset freezing sanctions against eight indi

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, February 16 The UK's government is seeking input regarding the ownership and control test under the UK's sanctions regulations across implementation, cost of compliance and how control appears in practice. ( Here ) This is a great opportunity for everyone, especially compliance professionals to share their view about the challenges associated with determining ownership under the UK sanction

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, February 9 OFSI updated its guidance on financial sanctions enforcement and monetary penalties to reflect the outcome of the UK's government consultation on improving civil enforcement processes. In short, the new guidance discusses the following changes: Early Account Scheme, Case Assessment, Monetary Penalty Process and Settlement Scheme, Financial Hardship, and Fixed Monetary Penalties.

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 26 OFSI announced a penalty of £160,000 on Bank of Scotland Plc. The bank had processed 28 transactions in breach of the UK's sanctions regulations related to Russia. These transactions related to a designated person. ( Here ) Tuesday, January 27 The U.S. Department of States announced that United States of America, along with 40 countries, gathered last week in Prague, the Czech R

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 19 There was no major development on this date. Tuesday, January 20 There was no major development on this date. Wednesday, January 21 OFAC imposed blocking sanctions against one individual and seven entities under the United States' counter-terrorism sanctions program. ( Here , and the Department of the Treasury's press release ) OFAC submits the 2025's forth quarter report pursuan

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 12 The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a mechanism established to monitor and report violations and evasions of United Nations sanctions on North Korea launched in 2024 after Russia vetoed the renewal of the UN 1718 Committee Panel of Experts mandate, presented its report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's violation and evasion of UN sanctions through cyber and i

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 5 There was no major development on this day. Tuesday, January 6 France imposed asset-freezing sanctions against four individuals and one entity under the country's autonomous counter-terrorism sanctions regime. ( Here ) Wednesday, January 7 There was no major development on this day. Thursday, January 8 There was no major development on this day. Friday, January 9 The EU Council

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, December 29 There was no major development on this day. Tuesday, December 30 OFAC imposed blocking sanctions against six individuals and four entities under its Iran sanctions program for contributing to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle trade with Venezuela. ( Here , the Department of the Treasury's press release , and the Department of State's press release ) Wednesday, December 31 OFAC imp

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, December 15 The EU Council started the week by adopting six sanctions-related decisions: Decision 2025/2594 : Imposing asset freezing sanctions against five individuals and four entities for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. ( Press release ) Decision 2025/2572 : Imposing asset freezing sanctions against 12 individuals and two ent

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, December 8 The EU Council extended its DRC sanctions regime for another year through 12 December 2026. ( Here , and press release ) DoJ announced that operation Gatekeeper has successfully shut down a major China-linked AI technology smuggling network, which resulted in the seizure of over $50 million in advanced GPUs and cash, and the arrest of two businessmen. According to DoJ, the networ

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, December 1 Without providing much detail, the UK government announced that, in September 2025, a UK exporter paid a compound settlement offer of £620,515.04 to HM Revenue and Customs in relation to unlicensed exports of military goods controlled by The Export Control Order 2008. ( Here ) The EU Council extended its Mali sanctions regime for another year through 14 December 2026. ( Here ) T

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, November 24 OFAC has issued a Penalty Notice imposing a $4,677,552 penalty on a natural U.S. Person for two violations of OFAC’s Russia sanctions and for failing to comply with an OFAC subpoena. The facts of the case are interesting since it shows how a transfer of a blocked property is considered null and void, and the importance of OFAC's notices. OFAC considered the violations egregious

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, November 17 Over the weekend, the U.S. Department of State announced its intent to designate Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles, which is headed by Nicolás Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective November 24, 2025. ( Here ) Tuesday, November 18 There was no major development on this day. Wednesday, November 19 In a coordinated action Australia, the United States, and the Uni