The financial crime landscape is shifting rapidly. Firms are facing more sophisticated fraud, evolving regulatory expectations and the rapid growth of digital assets. These pressures are making 2026 a pivotal year for modernising Anti-Money Laundering (AML), fraud prevention and Know Your Customer (KYC) frameworks.
Three developments are beginning to shape the direction of financial crime prevention. Agentic AI is gaining momentum, data‑sharing communities are becoming increasingly important, and institutions are preparing for the mainstream integration of crypto assets. Collectively, these trends point toward a future built on more collaborative and resilient financial crime controls.
Agentic AI in Financial Crime Prevention
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has supported financial crime detection, but the industry is now progressing beyond traditional machine learning models. The next stage is the emergence of agentic AI, a form of AI capable of performing human‑like tasks, making decisions and navigating complex workflows with minimal intervention.
This development is particularly significant for fraud and KYC. Fraud teams are facing a wave of AI‑enabled threats, from deepfake impersonation to synthetic identities created at scale. Agentic AI provides the ability to analyse behaviour across multiple channels, adapt to novel patterns and support real-time decision-making. As payment activity increasingly shifts to digital platforms, firms will rely on AI to maintain a unified view of customer activity and detect anomalies that older systems may miss.
KYC processes, which often involve non-linear steps and judgment-based decisions, are also well-suited to benefit. Early adopters are leveraging AI to streamline onboarding, strengthen due diligence and enhance risk scoring. The firms achieving the greatest results are those with clearly defined business objectives, such as improving operational efficiency, enhancing the customer experience and bolstering risk management. This outcome-driven approach is becoming critical, especially as regulatory expectations around model governance, explainability and accountability continue to evolve.
Building Collective Intelligence Through Data‑Sharing Communities
A second major development is the growing recognition that financial crime cannot be addressed in isolation. Fraud and AML risks increasingly span institutions, sectors and borders, and the industry is beginning to accept that meaningful progress depends on shared intelligence.
While many organisations remain cautious due to privacy and legal considerations, the direction of travel is clear. Initiatives such as confirmation-of-payee schemes, mobile network-based fraud checks and shared fraud databases have already demonstrated the value of collaborative defences. These efforts prove that when institutions pool insights, they can uncover patterns that would remain invisible in isolation.
KYC processes also stand to gain from more integrated approaches. National digital identity systems in countries such as Estonia and Singapore illustrate how shared infrastructure can reduce duplication, accelerate onboarding and strengthen risk management. As financial crime threats grow more complex, the industry is increasingly encouraged to explore similar models, whether through public‑private partnerships, sector‑specific alliances or cross‑border collaboration.
Data sharing is no longer an abstract ambition, it is a practical necessity. Firms that begin investing in or joining these communities today will be better equipped to detect emerging risks and satisfy regulatory expectations on collaborative intelligence, reflected in Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance, including SYSC 6.1.1R, which outlines the need for effective systems and controls to counter the risk of financial crime.
Preparing for the Crypto‑Enabled Future of Financial Services
The third major trend shaping 2026 is the need for financial institutions to prepare for the rise of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Participation in digital assets has expanded rapidly, and customer demand is prompting even traditionally cautious institutions to reconsider their stance.
Crypto introduces new risks, particularly around on‑ramping, off‑ramping, wallet‑to‑wallet transfers and customer vulnerability. However, it also offers opportunities for institutions willing to be proactive. Banks and other regulated entities are now building custody frameworks, updating risk models and enhancing data capabilities to support digital asset activity.
In the UK, the FCA has published Consultation Papers (CP25/40) and finalised rules emphasising market integrity, consumer protection and prudential risk management. These developments indicate that cryptoasset exposures must be fully integrated into firms’ risk and compliance frameworks. From a KYC perspective, digital assets should now feature in source-of-wealth analysis, ongoing customer monitoring and risk classification.
As the FCA’s rules under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (FSMA 2023) and the forthcoming stablecoin regime come into effect, firms must be prepared to meet regulatory expectations. Early investment in understanding and managing these risks will position firms to support clients safely and remain compliant.
Looking Ahead
The trends emerging for 2026 point to a financial crime environment that is more dynamic and interconnected than ever. Agentic AI is reshaping how firms detect and respond to risk. Data‑sharing communities are becoming essential to collective resilience. The rise of crypto is pushing institutions to modernise their frameworks and embrace new forms of financial activity.
Firms that act now by investing in intelligent automation, strengthening collaborative networks and preparing for digital assets will be well‑equipped to handle upcoming challenges. The future of financial crime prevention will belong to organisations that combine innovation with strong governance and a willingness to adapt.
How Complyport Can Help
Complyport supports financial services firms in assessing and enhancing their financial crime, regulatory and compliance frameworks, helping firms respond to evolving risks such as data-centric AML models, AI-enabled fraud challenges and digital asset-related compliance obligations. Our services include:
- KYC Compliance Management;
- AML/CTF/CPF Risk Assessments and Gap Analyses;
- FCA Authorisation Applications and Threshold Assessments;
- Stablecoin Regime Gap Analyses and Prudential Reviews;
- Operational Resilience Advisory; and
- Regulatory Guidance and Compliance Advisory Support
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