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dc.titleDecrypting Crypto: Supervision, Intelligence, and Recovery in the Virtual Assets Era. A Reference for Latin America and the Caribbean Financial Intelligence Units and Regulators
dc.contributor.authorArias Alvarez, Jose Angel
dc.contributor.authorLagarda, Guillermo
dc.contributor.authorVerastegui Lira, Paulina
dc.contributor.authorGrajales, John
dc.contributor.authorDassen, Nicolás
dc.contributor.authorDuque, Marcela
dc.contributor.authorAnwar, Kamal
dc.contributor.authorTRM Labs
dc.contributor.orgunitInstitutional Capacity of the State Division
dc.contributor.orgunitInstitutions for Development Sector
dc.coverageLatin America
dc.coverageThe Caribbean
dc.date.available2026-11-06T00:11:00
dc.date.issue2026-11-06T00:11:00
dc.description.abstractThe rapid expansion of cryptoassets and blockchain technologies is reshaping global financial systems, presenting both opportunities and significant risks for financial integrity. This publication, aimed at Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and regulatory authorities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), provides a comprehensive technical, regulatory, and operational reference on virtual assets. It covers foundational blockchain technology, virtual asset categories, regional adoption trends, illicit finance typologies, beneficial ownership challenges, transaction reporting standards, and cryptoasset recovery frameworks. The document addresses the structural gap between fast-evolving technology and slower-adapting regulatory systems, compounded by institutional asymmetries across LAC jurisdictions. Drawing on FATF standards--particularly Immediate Outcomes 6, 7, and 8--and cross-country experiences, it debunks common myths about cryptocurrency anonymity and recovery complexity, while providing actionable guidance for investigations, seizures, and international cooperation. The publication advocates for risk-based, proportionate regulation grounded in technical understanding, public-private partnerships, and regional coordination, offering a roadmap to strengthen AML/CFT/CPF resilience across the region in the virtual assets era.
dc.format.extent84
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0014600
dc.identifier.urlhttps://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Decrypting-Crypto-Supervision-Intelligence-and-Recovery-in-the-Virtual-Assets-Era.-A-Reference-for-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean-Financial-Intelligence-Units-and-Regulators.pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInter-American Development Bank
dc.subjectRegulation
dc.subjectBlockchain
dc.subjectDigital Asset
dc.subjectTransparency and Anticorruption
dc.subjectFinance
dc.subjectMoney Laundering
dc.subjectDigital Technology
dc.subjectSmart Contract
dc.subject.jelcodeG28 - Government Policy and Regulation
dc.subject.jelcodeG23 - Non-bank Financial Institutions • Financial Instruments • Institutional Investors
dc.subject.jelcodeK42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
dc.subject.jelcodeO33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences • Diffusion Processes
dc.subject.jelcodeF38 - International Financial Policy: Financial Transactions Tax; Capital Controls
dc.subject.jelcodeE42 - Monetary Systems • Standards • Regimes • Government and the Monetary System • Payment Systems
dc.subject.jelcodeD73 - Bureaucracy • Administrative Processes in Public Organizations • Corruption
dc.subject.keywordsvirtual assets;cryptoassets;money laundering;terrorism financing;financial intelligence units;financial regulation;FATF;virtual asset service providers;asset recovery;AML/CFT Regulation;Financial Integrity;Blockchain Analysis
dc.typeMonographs
idb.identifier.pubnumberIDB-MG-01361
idb.operationRG-T4751
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