UNITAR Launches 2026 Training on Virtual Asset Risks and AML/CFT Compliance

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has opened registration for a new online course aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) capabilities in the rapidly evolving virtual asset sector. The five-week programme, titled “Emerging Risks in Virtual Assets and Ensuring AML/CFT Compliance (2026),” will run from 28 September to 6 November 2026 and is designed for compliance professionals, regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).

According to UNITAR, the course will examine the financial crime risks associated with cryptocurrencies, decentralised finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and other blockchain-based financial services. Participants will explore how these technologies are being exploited for money laundering and terrorist financing, while gaining practical knowledge on implementing effective AML/CFT controls aligned with international standards.

The curriculum is structured around five modules covering virtual asset ecosystems, financial crime typologies, regulatory frameworks, risk-based compliance approaches, and governance strategies for Virtual Asset Service Providers. It also includes case studies on illicit finance involving digital assets, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions compliance, and emerging risks linked to decentralised finance and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

UNITAR said the programme aims to equip participants with the skills to identify money laundering and terrorist financing risks, evaluate virtual asset business models, design AML/CFT compliance frameworks, and implement risk mitigation measures consistent with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations.

The web-based course will be delivered in English through UNITAR’s e-learning platform and is offered at a registration fee of US$800. Registration is currently open.