A new SSHRC-funded research project will explore how cryptocurrencies are reshaping sanctions evasion and fragmenting the global financial system. Learn about the project's goals, its multidisciplinary research network, and opportunities to collaborate on one of the most pressing challenges in illicit finance.

Terrorist financing is evolving. Rather than abandoning traditional methods, extremist groups are combining cash, banks, hawala networks, and cryptocurrencies into sophisticated hybrid financial networks that are harder to detect and disrupt. This briefing explores how these systems operate, why digital assets are becoming increasingly important, and what governments and the private sector can do to counter the threat.

The June 2026 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary highlighted important updates in how terrorist financing is being addressed globally. This article explores the key developments, emerging areas of concern, and what they signal for future regulatory focus and compliance expectations across the financial sector.

Kidnapping for ransom has become an increasingly important source of terrorist financing in the Sahel, but does paying ransoms actually lead to more terrorism. In this edition of our Research Reads we explore the relationship between ransom payments and the frequency and intensity of terrorist attacks in West Africa.

Introduced in April 2018, the "No Money for Terror" conference is an international ministerial summit established to combat illicit finance and strengthen global counter-terrorism financing standards. However, a closer look reveals systemic vulnerabilities within its core strategy. This commentary breaks down why the conference actually creates the conditions for its own failure in achieving these critical objectives—and how its current framework may inadvertently undermine the global fight against terror.

This guest article written by Dr. Jessica Davis, for The Line podcast looks at the introduction of Bill C-29, and the creation of a new federal police force in Canada focused on investigating financial crimes.

As the economic impacts of the Iran-Israel-US war become apparent, it is clear that Iran’s economy has been badly damaged. This third article in the Axis of Illicit Finance series explores Iran’s use of financial tradecraft and how the regime integrates that with cryptocurrency to hide the source and destination of funds.

As sanctions tighten and geopolitical pressures intensify, Iran is increasingly relying on cryptocurrency to support its allies. This second article in the Axis of Illicit Finance series examines how Iran moves funds to the Houthis using cryptocurrency and the networks that underpin this capability.

ISIL, Al-Qaeda, and associated groups are slowly adapting to counterterrorism efforts, but their core financing methods remain the same. This article reviews the 37th United Nations Monitoring Team report, highlighting key terrorist financing patterns and how these organizations sustain themselves through both innovative and traditional methods.

This opinion piece was published in the The Globe and Mail in January 2026. This article provides a strategic mandate for Canada’s future Financial Crimes Agency, highlighting the urgent need to combat fraud, ransomware, sanctions evasion, and professional money laundering in a shifting geopolitical and financial landscape.

After years of building, cleaning, and analyzing, we’re sharing a one-of-a-kind dataset that changes the conversation on terrorist financing. This article launches the Trends in Terrorist Financing 2020-2025 series, highlighting evidence-driven insights on how terrorist raise, use, move, store, and manage funds, cutting through speculation with hard data and contextual analysis.

As sanctions tighten and geopolitical pressure mounts, Iran is turning to cryptocurrency to keep its economy moving. This article launches an eight-part series in examining how Iran uses crypto to evade sanctions and situates it within a wider illicit financial ecosystem.

Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) secured a $50 million ransom for hostages, along with arms, ammunition, and the release of prisoners. This article examines how the group finances its operations, allocates resources, and the potential impact of these funds on regional security in West Africa

FINTRAC imposed a record-breaking $177 million penalty on a BC-registered virtual asset provider operating without staff or physical presence in Canada. This article highlights the regulatory and compliance challenges posed by global crypto platforms, examines the implications for AML/CFT enforcement, and explores how such entities can facilitate illicit finance, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing.

In this edition of Research Reads we review Chokepoints: How the Global Economy Becomes a Weapon of War, summarizing key insights, and highlighting who should this book is best suited for.

A recent NSIRA review of the CRA’s Charity Audits Division raises concerns about how terrorism-related risks are assessment in Canada’s charitable sector. This commentary breaks down the findings and their implications for counter-terrorist financing oversight.

Is left-wing terrorism actually increasing in the United States? This Research Reads article examines recent claims, assesses the underlying data, and compares US trends with Canada’s experience, to explore what the evidence does-and does not- show.