Registry News Weekly - August 18 2025

Global Updates from the Registry World

This week’s Registry News Weekly takes us from Asia to the Americas, highlighting how regulators and governments are responding to fast-changing challenges in transparency, compliance, and digital innovation. From deepfakes shaking the financial sector to bold moves against illicit finance, registries worldwide are stepping into new roles to safeguard integrity and drive economic growth.

Here are the top stories shaping the registry world this week:

1. 1. Singapore – ACRA at the 10th CSPs Conference
      Chief Executive Huey Min Chia-Tern highlighted the new CSP Act, strengthening the regulatory framework and underscoring the role of Corporate Service Providers as gatekeepers.
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   2. Canada – Saudi bank saga exposes lobbying registry vulnerabilities
      Experts say the system was never designed to prevent fraud, raising calls for reform.
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   3. Asia – A flood of deepfakes challenges the financial sector
      Ant International reported more than 150 types of deepfake attacks, with some markets seeing 70% of new enrollments as fakes.
      Read More

   4. Sri Lanka – Issuer Forum explores innovative corporate growth
      The Registrar of Companies joined forces with the SEC, CSE, and Ministry of Trade to highlight innovation as a driver of economic progress.
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   5. Uruguay – National anti-money laundering strategy launched
      The government announced a five-year plan to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and organized crime.
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   6. Cayman Islands – New office strengthens safeguards against illicit funds
      The new Office for Strategic Action on Illicit Finance will serve as a central authority, aligning with global FATF standards.
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   7. Australia – ASIC releases “point-in-time” dataset for AFSLs
      The dataset allows licensees to check and update information on the Financial Advisers Register.
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   8. Gibraltar – Auditor controversy highlights concerns over public finance management
      Outgoing comptroller Tony Sacramento raised red flags over government financial practices in Gibraltar.
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   9. Jersey – Multinational corporate income tax registration goes live
      Revenue Jersey has launched its MCIT registration system under the OECD’s Pillar Two requirements, effective January 2025.
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   10. Scotland – Public funds controversy involving tax haven-linked firms
       The Scottish Government granted £77m to companies linked to tax havens, raising concerns about accountability and economic impact.
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   11. Fiji – BusinessNow Fiji digital platform launched
       The government unveiled a new flagship platform to streamline business registration and permitting while embedding transparency.
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   12. Sri Lanka – Surge in foreign company registrations in 2025
       The first half of 2025 saw a sharp rise in foreign and joint-venture company registrations, reflecting renewed investor confidence.
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   13. Australia – Indigenous corporations face reporting failures
       Over 1,000 Indigenous corporations failed to file reports in 2023–24, prompting calls for immediate reform from community leaders.
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   14. United States – Sanctioned individual linked to 646 companies in Panama
       A US review revealed a sanctioned individual connected to hundreds of corporate registrations, spotlighting regulatory blind spots.
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   15. Ghana – Registrar of Companies engages public with community soccer event
       As part of its 2025 Risk Awareness Campaign, the ORC hosted games in Kumasi with other government agencies to raise awareness.
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   16. Nigeria – CAC removes 247 companies from business register
       The Corporate Affairs Commission has struck off 247 companies from Nigeria’s register, reinforcing compliance measures.
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   17. Europe: Beneficial-ownership registers shift again in the EU
       Beneficial ownership registers in the European Union have once again entered a period of transition, reflecting the struggle to balance transparency with privacy.
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   18. United Kingdom: Firm manager fined £32,500 over AML breaches
       A firm manager whose client was the son of Azerbaijan’s former national security minister has been fined £32,500 and had restrictions imposed on his employment after breaching anti-money laundering rules.
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   19. Pakistan: IMF says Pakistan fails to prevent money laundering
       The International Monetary Fund has stated that Pakistan has failed to effectively prevent money laundering schemes, highlighting significant shortcomings in its beneficial ownership framework.
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   20. United Arab Emirates: 35,000 new companies register with Dubai Chamber
       The Dubai Chamber of Commerce reports that the first half of 2025 saw 35,000 new company registrations, including a notable rise in international firms establishing a presence in Dubai.
       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.

We Want to Hear From You!
Are there important developments or news about your registry that you’d like to share with the wider registry community? We invite registry professionals and organizations to submit news for inclusion in our weekly digest. Submit your updates to press@fostermoore.com and help us keep the registry world informed!