- Events
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Office of Counter-Terrorism / United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT/Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCCT) and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Secretariat co-organized a practical session on ¡°Countering the Misuse of Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers for Terrorism Financing¡± during the CFATF Plenary Week, on 28 May 2026 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 28 May 2026.
The session focused on the evolving misuse of virtual assets (VA) and virtual asset service providers (VASPs) for terrorism financing purposes, and examined practical approaches to detection, investigation, supervision and international cooperation. Discussions highlighted how virtual assets can facilitate cross-border transfers, online fundraising and movement of funds across digital and traditional financial channels, creating additional operational challenges for authorities.
Participants exchanged perspectives on emerging typologies, risk indicators and operational challenges related to blockchain-based transactions, digital wallets and asset recovery. The session also explored the importance of strengthening cooperation among supervisory authorities, financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies and private-sector actors.
The event was organized within the framework of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCCT Global Programme on Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT Programme). The session also introduced the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT Handbook on Countering the Misuse of VA and VASPs for Terrorism Financing (2024) as a practical resource to support Member States in translating international standards into operational action.
In recent years, targeted technical assistance initiatives implemented under the CFT Programme have supported Member States in strengthening capacities to address emerging terrorism financing risks, including those linked to virtual assets. Against this background, the session facilitated the exchange of operational experience, lessons learned and emerging practices among CFATF Member States and international partners.
