Introduction: In a stark reminder of the unchecked power wielded by financial institutions, Deutsche Bank recently terminated the account of Mohamad Safa, a UN-accredited human rights activist. His alleged crime? Speaking out against war crimes in Gaza. The latest in a long line of individual debanking exposes the darker side of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) laws, which, despite being crafted with the intent to protect the public, often serve as tools for governments to silence dissent and curb civil liberties without due process. The Global Reach of U.S. Financial Regulation: The troubling trend of

The Fed’s Power Grab: Operation ChokePoint 2.0 Still in Full Swing Yesterday, August 8th, a 13-page enforcement action was issued against Customers Bank, one of the few remaining crypto-friendly banking institutions in the United States. The move has raised significant concerns about the future of financial services available to the bitcoin and cryptocurrency industry. The enforcement action is characterized by vague language and complex requirements that obscure its true impact. A close reading of the document reveals a concerning development: the Federal Reserve now requires Customers Bank to provide 30 days’ advance notice before establishing any new banking relationship with