FATF October plenary: four grey list exits, accelerated virtual asset review and a fraud roadmap kick-off

📅 30 October 2026 • FATF

The FATF Plenary concluded in Paris on 30 October after three days of meetings under the inaugural UK Presidency of Giles Thomson. Delegates from more than 200 jurisdictions and observers agreed on global action against evolving financial crime threats. Barbados, Namibia and Thailand took part under their own flags for the first time through the FATF Guest Initiative. Decisions touched the grey list, the black list, virtual assets and fraud, with four jurisdictions leaving increased monitoring and none added.

Grey list: four exits, zero additions

Bulgaria, Cote d'Ivoire, the DR Congo and Monaco were removed from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring after successful on-site visits confirmed completion of their action plans. All four will keep working with their regional bodies, from MONEYVAL for Bulgaria and Monaco to GIABA for Cote d'Ivoire and GABAC with ESAAMLG for the DR Congo, to sustain the gains. The grey list now counts 18 jurisdictions. The black list is unchanged: Iran, DPRK and Burma remain subject to a call for action, with countermeasures on Iran and DPRK and enhanced due diligence on Burma.

Virtual assets move up the agenda

Responding to the April 2026 Ministerial Declaration, the Plenary agreed to significantly accelerate implementation of FATF standards on virtual assets in jurisdictions with materially important VA activity. The FATF recognised the need to urgently strengthen defences against the misuse of virtual assets for money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. A targeted review based on objective criteria will run with accelerated follow-up, and results are due in June and October 2027.

Fraud report, evaluations, Vietnam

The Plenary approved a report on the illicit financial flows behind fraud and scam compounds, which the FATF ranks among the fastest growing forms of organised crime. It is the first output of the UK Presidency fraud roadmap, publishing the week after the meeting, with a wider study to follow. Fifth-round mutual evaluation reports of Mexico and the United States were adopted, publication due December 2026. On Vietnam the FATF expressed significant concern at the pace of progress and will consider next steps if tangible improvements do not arrive by the February 2027 plenary.

IMPACT

Compliance teams should refresh country risk ratings for the four exited jurisdictions, remembering that grey list removal does not automatically mean low risk. Exposure to Vietnam and Myanmar deserves a review before the February 2027 plenary, where both face deadlines. Firms working with VASPs or operating in major VA hubs should expect closer scrutiny as the targeted review moves through 2027, and the scam compounds report will hand monitoring teams new red flags to test against transaction screening rules.

Sources: fatf-gafi.org, fincen.gov, reuters.com, complyadvantage.com

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FATF October plenary: four grey list exits, accelerated virtual asset review and a fraud roadmap kick-off

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