Samuel Rasmussen

In the vast and sprawling digital landscape, where our lives are lived in bits and bytes, we often forget how much of our personal data is at risk, until something shatters that illusion of safety. In the early months of 2025, that illusion was pierced when a massive data breach at X (formerly Twitter) exposed over 200 million user records. Names, email addresses, screennames, user IDs, and profile images, fragments of millions of lives, were laid bare for anyone to see.

The UK government’s plan to modernize its cyber defenses isn’t just another legislative checkbox. It’s a pointed response to a threat that’s evolving faster than policy typically can. With ransomware attacks delaying over 11,000 NHS appointments last year and state-sponsored actors regularly probing UK infrastructure, the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is just trying to catch up.

The AMF's 2025 International Seminar wrapped up on March 20, leaving behind not just a digital trail but an invaluable conversation on the future of global financial regulation. Held in a 100% online format from March 10 to 20, the event brought together over 950 participants from 85 financial market authorities worldwide. It was a gathering of minds—regulators, experts, and thought leaders—all grappling with the growing complexities of financial markets in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) recently released a Public Consultation Draft for its Third-Party Topical Requirement. At first glance, it may seem like a technical set of guidelines, but the stakes are high. As businesses increasingly rely on third-party relationships—whether with vendors, contractors, consultants, or others—internal auditors face growing challenges in managing these complex connections. The IIA’s draft aims to offer a more standardized, comprehensive approach to assessing and managing the risks tied to external partnerships. For organizations that regularly engage with third parties, the draft provides a clear framework designed to ensure that no critical risks go unnoticed.

On March 2, 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department made a noteworthy announcement that immediately caught the attention of businesses and legal experts alike. The department revealed that it would not enforce penalties or fines tied to the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements, including those set for the March 21, 2025 filing deadline. This move effectively gives businesses a breather, halting the looming threat of fines for failing to meet reporting obligations under the current rules.

When President Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 10, 2025, pausing the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), he set off a chain reaction that has reverberated through boardrooms and government offices alike. The executive order gives the Department of Justice (DOJ) 180 days to review and revise its approach to FCPA enforcement, a move that could dramatically reshape how the U.S. tackles international corruption.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has handed down a default judgment against a network of offshore entities and individuals behind a massive binary options fraud scheme. The total financial penalty reaches a staggering $451 million in restitution and civil penalties. And for those involved? It’s a permanent ban from future trading in U.S. markets.