NY Regulator Mandates Blockchain Analytics for Banks to Combat Illicit Activity

The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has issued a directive urging banks to integrate blockchain analytics tools into their compliance frameworks. The MOVE aims to curb illegal financial activities as institutional interest in digital assets accelerates.

"Compliance functions must evolve alongside emerging technologies," said NYDFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris. The guidance emphasizes proactive risk assessment, including real-time wallet screening and transaction pattern analysis to detect anomalies.

Banks are instructed to implement these measures preemptively rather than reactively. The regulator's stance reflects growing recognition of blockchain's dual role as both a vector for risk and a tool for transparency in traditional finance.