CertiK Report: 2026 AML Enforcement Intensifies, Smart Contract Audits Become Mandatory

ME News reports that on April 28 (UTC+8), Web3 security firm CertiK released the report "State of Digital Asset Regulation 2026," providing a systematic overview of global regulatory trends. The report indicates that, as of April 2026, regulatory frameworks in major jurisdictions including the United States, the European Union, Hong Kong, and Singapore have been largely implemented, marking the industry’s transition into a phase of comprehensive compliance. It highlights that anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement has replaced securities classification as the primary regulatory risk, with global AML-related fines exceeding $900 million in the first half of 2025, making transaction monitoring a core compliance requirement. Meanwhile, smart contract security audits are evolving from industry best practices to mandatory prerequisites for licensing and token listings. Additionally, global stablecoin regulatory frameworks are converging, with widespread adoption of principles such as full reserve backing and licensed issuance; however, regulatory disparities across jurisdictions continue to pose compliance challenges. The report notes that as regulation converges and enforcement intensifies, the industry has entered the “era of strict compliance.” CertiK states that the central challenge for businesses is shifting from “whether to comply” to “how quickly they can build and implement compliance capabilities.” Multi-jurisdictional licensing, AML investments, and ongoing security audits are becoming foundational thresholds for institutional growth. (Source: Foresight News)