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- CertiK says regulation of digital assets has moved to an enforceable stage across major markets.
- Anti-money laundering compliance, stablecoin reserves, and smart contract auditing are now essential requirements for cryptocurrency companies.
CertiK’s latest global report has a fairly blunt message: Encryption regulation It’s no longer a waiting game. It’s here, it’s doable, and it looks increasingly like traditional finance with different paths.
AML moves to the front of the queue
the a report He says anti-money laundering enforcement has now overtaken securities classification as the main regulatory risk for digital asset companies. This is a noticeable shift. For years, much of the legal concern in the industry has revolved around whether or not a token serves as a security. Now the biggest pressure comes from transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and basic compliance controls.
CertiK reports over $900 million in AML-related fines and settlements in the first half of 2025, including significant actions against cryptocurrency exchanges and related financial institutions. The message to the platforms is not accurate. Weak surveillance systems are no longer considered a technical gap. It is a financial and organizational responsibility.
Stablecoins and audits become part of the operating model
Stablecoins The rules are also converging. Details vary by jurisdiction, but the trend is similar: full reserves, independent certification, licensing, and more stringent recovery standards. Algorithmic designs are pushed to the margins, while fiat-backed models are brought closer to banking supervision.
Smart contract Audits follow the same path. CertiK says they are now legal or quasi-legal requirements in many major markets, often linked to licensing, token acceptance or operational flexibility rules. For exchanges, issuers and custodians, this turns security reviews into a recurring cost of doing business, rather than a one-time launch expense.
The Basel framework adds another layer. Traditional tokenized assets and compatible stablecoins may fit more easily onto banks’ balance sheets. In contrast, unlevered crypto assets face heavy capital treatment. This division can determine which parts of market institutions can be expanded, and which remain outside the core financial system for a longer period.
