If you run a crypto business in the UK, hold some personal digital assets or have simply been waiting to see whether the UK would ever settle on a workable set of rules for this sector, 30 June 2026 was the day you would have been waiting for. On that date, the Financial Conduct Authority … Continued

What are Unexplained Wealth Orders? Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) remain one of the UK’s most significant civil asset recovery tools under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Although they are used relatively infrequently, they continue to play an important role in investigations involving suspected illicit wealth, money laundering and serious organised crime. This guide … Continued

If you are a director, founder or senior officer in a company operating in the cryptoasset space — particularly one with an international footprint — you should be aware of a significant change in the enforcement landscape over the past two years. As a consequence, the risk of liability has increased exponentially and is now … Continued

CIFAS and SIRA markers are both fraud prevention tools used across the UK’s financial services sector. They are used in separate databases, however, and are managed by different organisations and operate under different rules. Both can cause severe disruption in situations where the affected individual attempts to obtain insurance, banking products or credit. This article … Continued

Introduction In July 2026, HM Treasury published the second annual Economic Crime Levy Report, covering the financial year 2024–25. The report details how £96.9 million collected from entities subject to the Money Laundering Regulations was spent across six core deliverables  and what that spending has produced. For those who have followed Gherson’s work in this … Continued

A SIRA marker is a fraud indicator recorded on the National SIRA database operated by Synectics Solutions. It is used by insurers, banks and other financial services providers across the UK to flag individuals linked to suspected fraud. If a SIRA marker has been placed against your name, it can significantly affect your ability to … Continued

Reading time: 10 minutes In a series of previous blogs, Gherson’s White-Collar Crime team has been tracking the evolution of the UK’s cryptocurrency regulatory landscape. Starting from our initial examination of the HM Treasury Consultation Paper in February 2023, we have provided regular updates and have analysed the regulatory developments in this fast-moving area, including … Continued

Reading time: 9–10 minutes For some time, Gherson has written about the growing overlap between INTERPOL, extradition and cryptoasset investigations. The early question was a relatively simple one: can allegations involving crypto lead to an INTERPOL Red Notice and, ultimately, extradition? The answer, as a growing number of international cases has shown, is plainly yes. … Continued

A SIRA marker can significantly affect your ability to open or maintain bank accounts, obtain financial services and, in some cases, operate a business. Although less widely known than a CIFAS marker, it may have equally serious consequences. This guide explains what a SIRA marker is, how it may arise, the legal framework governing challenges … Continued