Key Developments in Global Business Registries
This week’s Registry News brings important updates from around the world. From major digital registration reforms to new initiatives in transparency and anti-fraud efforts, registries worldwide are evolving to meet modern needs.
Here’s a roundup of the most important registry news this week:
- United States: North Korea’s Lazarus Group Registered U.S. Companies to Infiltrate Crypto Developers
North Korean cyber spies established fake companies in the U.S. to target cryptocurrency developers with malware, violating U.S. Treasury and UN sanctions. Read more - Guyana: Amid Rising Regional Recognition, Guyana Strengthens Anti-Money Laundering Framework
Guyana has made significant strides in strengthening its anti-money laundering and anti-corruption frameworks, earning praise from international partners. Read more - Qatar: New Facial Recognition Feature Launched by the Companies Registration Office
Qatar has introduced a new facial recognition feature in its Companies Registration Office, streamlining key processes like appointment and cessation notifications for individuals in QFC firms. Read more - Ireland: UK Businessman with Firms Worth Billions Sets Up in Ireland
A British businessman whose UK companies claim to have funds totaling more than £227bn has set up two new firms in Ireland. Read more - Nigeria: CAC to Deploy AI for Business Registration
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria is set to deploy Artificial Intelligence in its operations, beginning with a pilot project covering availability, registration of business names, and incorporation of limited liability companies. Read more - Iran: Iran Launches 2 New Digital Platforms to Strengthen Fight Against Money Laundering and Terror Financing
Iran's Financial Intelligence Unit has launched two new digital platforms aimed at increasing transparency and strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. Read more - Scotland: Donald Trump's Turnberry Golf Course Could Be Removed from the Register for Failing to Submit Registration on Time
Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland risks being removed from the UK company register due to a missed deadline for filing a confirmation statement, a required annual document detailing changes in shareholding or control. Read more - UK: Documents Detailing the Company Accounts for a Multi-Billion-Pound Firm Registered to a Terrace House in Bolton Have Disappeared from Government Agency Companies House's Website
Documents detailing the company accounts for a multi-billion-pound firm registered to a terrace house in Bolton have disappeared from government agency Companies House's website. Read more - British Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands Launches National Strategic Action Plan to Enhance Financial Crime Prevention
The Government of the Virgin Islands has launched a National Strategic Action Plan to enhance financial crime prevention, aiming to protect the financial system against money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. Read more - Kenya: New Company Registrations Rise on Hopeful Business Owners
New company registrations in Kenya have risen, indicating a positive outlook among business owners despite economic challenges. Read more - Canada: In First Election Since B.C. Money Laundering Inquiry, Financial Crime Takes the Back Seat
In Canada's 2025 federal election, experts on white-collar crime note the relatively muted responses from political parties on financial crime, despite the findings of the B.C. money laundering inquiry. Read more - UK: UK Corporate Registrar Grows Its Enforcement Team
Companies House has issued 329 financial penalties and made 600 information-sharing referrals to other government agencies since receiving additional powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. Read more - United States: 2nd Company Penalized for Posing as State Office to Colorado Businesses
A company in Colorado has agreed to refund $95,631 to 3,640 individuals and businesses after posing as a state office and misleading them into paying unnecessary fees. Read more - Lithuania: AMLA, Money Laundering in Real Estate, and the Importance of PPPs Will Take Center Stage at Lithuania’s Annual AML Center Conference 2025 Next May 20th
Lithuania's Annual AML Center Conference 2025 will focus on anti-money laundering efforts in real estate and the importance of public-private partnerships. Read more - Bahrain: BIBF Launches E-Learning Platform for Banks in Anti-Money Laundering
The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has launched an e-learning platform tailored to the needs of banks in anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. Read more - Canada: New Registry Partnership Shows 'Very Promising' Results Recovering Stolen Bikes, City of Winnipeg Says
A new registry partnership in Canada has shown promising results in recovering stolen bikes, according to the City of Winnipeg. Read more - Ghana: ORC Gives Companies Until June 30 to File Annual Returns or Risk Deletion
The Office of the Registrar General in Ghana has given companies until June 30 to file their annual returns, warning that failure to do so will result in deletion from the registry. Read more - India: India Hosts Inaugural Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics on Combating Terrorism Financing
India has hosted its inaugural Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics, focusing on combating terrorism financing. Read more - UAE: UAE Delegation Concludes Official Visit to Morocco to Strengthen Cooperation in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
A UAE delegation has concluded an official visit to Morocco to strengthen cooperation in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Read more
Stay updated by visiting often our "Registry News Weekly" summary and the Foster Moore blog for more insights on these stories and other key registry news.
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