Sep 17, 2025
FinCEN plans to delete data on U.S. companies from beneficial ownership database
Five years after ICIJ published the FinCEN Files, the Trump administration has walked back significant anti-money laundering rules.
Impact from FinCEN Files
Jan 17, 2024
New US company ownership database faces continued political attacks weeks after launch
Advocates have warned that criticism and challenges from business groups and their political allies are sowing confusion and fear among business owners.
Oct 12, 2023
US Treasury Department removes ‘escape hatch’ for criminals from beneficial ownership reporting form
The draft disclosure form — panned by lawmakers and transparency advocates alike — previously included options for entities to check “unknown” when reporting ownership information to FinCEN.
Sep 07, 2023
Ukrainian oligarch sanctioned following the FinCEN Files investigation arrested in Ukraine
The pretrial detention of banking and media tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky comes as Ukraine pledges to root out corruption.
Jul 20, 2023
New FinCEN head appointed as concerns grow over stalled US company registry
The incoming director of the federal financial crimes unit faces an uphill battle to deliver reforms to thwart illicit money flows amid warnings the agency’s corporate ownership database is not fit for purpose.
Apr 11, 2023
U.S. Treasury faces a wave of criticism over faltering push to unmask anonymous companies and track dirty money
Transparency activists warn that delays to U.S. reforms designed to thwart illicit money flows have grave global implications.
Feb 22, 2023
Proposed rule would render US company registry ‘effectively useless,’ bankers warn
The American Bankers Association’s criticism is the latest setback for the U.S. Treasury as it attempts to set up a company ownership database.
Sep 20, 2022
New US company owner database ‘taking way too long’ to implement, experts warn
After ICIJ’s FinCEN Files investigation, transparency advocates cheered a new law mandating a beneficial ownership register in the U.S. Two years later, experts are expressing serious concerns.
Apr 29, 2022
As US pledges renewed fight against dirty money, head of financial crime agency says funding shortfalls have caused delays
In testimony, FinCEN's acting chief says ‘outmatched’ team is falling behind on policing cryptocurrency and implementing major anti-money laundering law.
Apr 01, 2022
Are oligarchs hiding money in US real estate? Ownership information is a missing link, research says
As lawmakers propose unmasking those purchasing New York property through LLCs, recent analysis finds shortcomings in federal oversight of money laundering in the housing market.
Mar 30, 2022
US budget proposal seeks to modernize FinCEN and sanctions policy
Despite the requested funding boost, some anti-money laundering experts say Joe Biden’s proposal is just a start to many reforms needed at the agency that leads the global fight against dirty money.
Sep 20, 2021
As reforms sparked by FinCEN Files roll out a year on, key source is behind bars
The global investigation on how trillions in dirty money flows through major banks has been widely credited for key anti-money laundering reforms currently being implemented in the U.S.
Jul 23, 2021
Lessons from award-winning FinCEN Files and Luanda Leaks investigations
ICIJ's editors share reflections from behind the scenes of two award-winning investigations.
Jul 16, 2021
EU to propose watchdog to tackle anti-money laundering failures exposed by FinCEN Files
A leaked European Commission draft indicates urgency to harmonize the bloc’s rules to tackle failings that have made the region a center for financial crime.
Jun 11, 2021
FinCEN Files investigation named Pulitzer Prize finalist
The global exposé by ICIJ and BuzzFeed News revealed how a broken U.S.-led enforcement system allows banks to continue to profit from moving trillions in dirty money.
Apr 03, 2021
The fight against offshore crime will be a long campaign
On the fifth anniversary of the Panama Papers’ launch, experts say there’s been progress in the fight against dirty money — but much more is needed.
Mar 05, 2021
US sanctions Ukrainian oligarch featured in FinCEN Files investigation
The State Department bars Ihor Kolomoisky, saying he ‘undermined the rule of law’ in Ukraine.
Mar 01, 2021
Major reforms needed at ‘struggling’ US agency that leads dirty money fight, report says
A tech-driven ‘Manhattan Project’ at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is among significant reforms recommended by an anti-money-laundering group.
Feb 01, 2021
ICIJ nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for combating dark money flows
ICIJ and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice among nominees that also include Committee to Protect Journalists, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Jan 20, 2021
Niger ‘scandal of the century’ exposed in FinCEN Files sparks lawsuit demanding action
Publisher Moussa Aksar was targeted as his reporting on millions in disappearing defense spending was submitted in a request to force a government inquiry.
Jan 19, 2021
Seven things to watch after historic anti-money laundering overhaul in the US
The landmark legislation contains several loopholes, exemptions and shortcomings that may become key vulnerabilities in the fight against corruption and financial secrecy, advocates say.
Dec 17, 2020
Here’s what is changing after the FinCEN Files shook the world of banking
After ICIJ and BuzzFeed News published a joint investigation, officials across the globe began to take action to thwart criminals and illicit financial activity.
Dec 11, 2020
Advocates celebrate major US anti-money laundering victory
The long-sought reforms, effectively ending anonymous shell companies, were included in an annual defense spending bill approved by both houses of Congress with veto-proof margins.
Nov 17, 2020
Belgium’s biggest banks propose system to share suspected money laundering information
The proposal was made at a Belgian parliamentary hearing held in response to the FinCEN Files investigation.
Oct 22, 2020
FinCEN Files sparks fresh UK inquiry into laundering of dirty billions
The Treasury Committee says it will examine the effectiveness of anti-money laundering systems and sanctions, listing areas of concerns investigated by ICIJ.