South Africa added to FATF grey listing regardless of cryptocurrency classification

On 24 February, the Monetary Motion Job Drive (FATF) introduced that it had positioned South Africa on its “gray listing”. The group of nations has been recognized by the monetary watchdog as having “strategic deficiencies” that have to be addressed inside an agreed timeframe. Being greylisted might make it tougher for South Africa to safe loans from international banks.

South Africa has for a while tried to keep away from being added to the FATF grey listing. The nation’s monetary business watchdog just lately designated cryptocurrencies as monetary merchandise after the FATF raised considerations in regards to the lack of regulation of such belongings. Some commentators consider this transfer will assist South Africa keep away from being greylisted.

However latest statements by the FATF recommend that the nation just isn’t doing sufficient to keep away from this end result. In response, the South African Reserve Financial institution (SARB) pledged to “strengthen supervision to additional enhance the deterrence and proportionality of administrative penalties”.

The SARB additionally mentioned that banks and different monetary establishments can play a job in addressing the deficiencies recognized by the FATF. “The SARB expects banks and different monetary establishments inside its space of ​​duty to totally adjust to all their obligations and implement the excessive regulatory requirements essential to protect and shield the integrity of the monetary system. These measures, along with these taken and measures taken by South Africa’s regulation enforcement and different authorities, contribute to an efficient AML/CFT/CPF system,” the central financial institution mentioned.

Being on the FATF’s grey listing might make it tough for South Africa to safe loans from international banks that could be cautious of the regulator’s strikes, the report mentioned. A 2021 IMF paper additionally instructed that nations on the grey listing might see disruptions to the movement of capital into their economies.

South Africa’s addition to the FATF grey listing is a serious setback for the nation. The federal government and monetary establishments should work collectively to handle the deficiencies recognized by regulators and enhance the nation’s repute on the worldwide monetary stage.