Financial regulators are government agencies or independent authorities responsible for overseeing and enforcing laws, policies and standards that govern financial institutions, markets and transactions. Their primary role is to ensure stability, transparency and integrity within the financial system  and preventing financial crimes such as money laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.

Financial regulators set compliance requirements for banks, investment firms, insurance companies and other regulated entities, mandating adherence to Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) regulations. They conduct audits, issue fines for non-compliance and provide guidance on best practices to mitigate financial risks.

Regulatory bodies vary by jurisdiction but often work in coordination with international organizations to align financial crime prevention efforts. Examples of key financial regulators include the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the United States, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, the European Banking Authority (EBA) in the European Union and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in Singapore.

By enforcing financial regulations and monitoring institutions, financial regulators play a critical role in maintaining trust and security within global financial systems.

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