Legal update – 16 October 2026 Published in the Journal de Monaco on 16 October 2026, Law No. 1.597 of 9 October 2026 strengthens the statutory right to a bank account introduced in 2020. The reform sets clearer deadlines for banks and facilitates access to the designation procedure where a bank refuses an application or fails to respond. Clearer processing deadlines The reform first sets a precise timetable for the bank receiving the application. Banks must request the necessary documents in writing within 30 working days of receiving a formally submitted application. Once all necessary documents have been received, the bank has 30 working days to open the account, subject to compliance with statutory due diligence requirements. A bank's silence constitutes an implied refusal One of the main advances of the law is the introduction of an implied refusal. Failure to respond within 30 working days of receiving the application, or following receipt of requested missing documents, constitutes an implied refusal. Eligible applicants may then refer the matter directly to the Budget and Treasury Department, without waiting for a refusal certificate. The Department must designate a bank within 10 working days of receiving the required documentation. Wider access to the right The law also removes two practical obstacles. First, eligible applicants may invoke their right to an account as soon as they receive notice terminating their existing account, without waiting for its actual closure. Second, holding a joint account does not prevent an eligible individual from opening an individual account. Remedies and sanctions The effectiveness of the regime is supported by judicial review and sanctions. A designated bank's refusal, or failure to open an account within the prescribed deadlines, may be challenged before the President of the Court of First Instance under the procedure applicable en la forme des référés. In addition, certain failures to issue a refusal certificate or to notify an applicant of a rejection may attract an administrative fine of up to €10,000. Best practice for applicants In practice, the reform highlights the importance of evidence. Applicants should formally submit their request by registered post, electronic registered delivery or hand delivery against a receipt, and retain evidence of the documents supplied. The right to an account remains subject to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing requirements. Entry into force and transitional provisions The law took effect on 17 October 2026. Transitional provisions notably reserve the new application-processing rules and related sanctions for applications submitted after that date.

Draft Law no. 1131 regulating the activities of crypto-asset service providers would introduce a new legal framework in the Principality. According to its explanatory memorandum, the proposed legislation notably reflects Monaco’s commitments under its Monetary Agreement with the European Union, including the adoption of measures equivalent to the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation — MiCA. It also takes into account the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force — FATF.   A deliberately limited opening The approach adopted by the Princely Government is based on strategic considerations relating to the international environment. It provides for a limited opening of the permitted services, notably to reduce the Principality’s exposure to the risks associated with certain crypto-asset activities. The selected services would therefore constitute a natural extension of financial activities already carried out in Monaco. Against this background, the draft law is largely aligned with amended Law no. 1.338 of 7 September 2007 on financial activities, while adapting certain provisions to the specific features of crypto-asset services, particularly in relation to operating requirements.   A framework limited to three services The draft law would authorise only three crypto-asset services: receiving and transmitting orders in crypto-assets on behalf of clients; • providing crypto-asset portfolio management services; • providing advice on crypto-assets. Other services falling within the scope of the proposed framework would be prohibited in the Principality. These would notably include: custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients; • operating a crypto-asset trading platform; • exchanging crypto-assets for funds; • exchanging crypto-assets for other crypto-assets; • executing orders on behalf of clients; • placing crypto-assets; • providing crypto-asset transfer services on behalf of clients. The issuance of crypto-assets within the Principality would also be prohibited. The draft law nevertheless provides for certain exclusions from its scope, notably for certain intragroup services, certain unique and non-fungible crypto-assets and crypto-assets already governed by other legal regimes.   Prior authorisation from the CCAF Providing any or all of the three permitted services would require prior authorisation from the Commission de Contrôle des Activités Financières — CCAF. Authorisation could be granted to: Monaco public limited companies meeting the conditions set out in the legislation; • credit institutions headquartered in a foreign State, operating through a branch in Monaco and already authorised by the CCAF under Law no. 1.338. Within their respective areas of competence, the CCAF would seek the opinion of the Autorité Monégasque de Sécurité Financière and the Agence Monégasque de Sécurité Numérique. It would issue its decision within six months of receiving a complete application. Authorisation would notably be subject to requirements concerning: financial guarantees, own funds and prudential safeguards; • the competence and good repute of directors and shareholders; • AML/CFT and asset-freezing obligations; • business continuity and operational resilience; • information systems security.   Client protection and conduct requirements Authorised providers would be subject to prudential and conduct-of-business rules, together with obligations relating to conflicts of interest, record-keeping and information systems security. Client mandates would have to be governed by written agreements. Providers would not be permitted to accept deposits of funds or crypto-assets from their clients. They would also be required to obtain information concerning each client’s knowledge and experience to assess whether the proposed service or crypto-asset is appropriate. Commercial approaches would also be regulated, particularly where made by unauthorised persons or entities. Restrictions would additionally apply to certain unsolicited approaches by authorised providers.   Supervision, penalties and market abuse The CCAF would be the competent authority responsible for supervising the implementation of the framework. Its powers would include: determining applications for authorisation; • monitoring compliance with professional obligations; • conducting inspections and investigations; • cooperating with foreign authorities; • implementing the measures and penalties provided for by the legislation. The draft law also provides for criminal penalties, notably where services are provided without authorisation or prohibited activities are carried out. A specific regime would additionally address market abuse involving crypto-assets, including the unlawful use or disclosure of inside information and market manipulation. Finally, the draft legislation would amend several Monaco laws relating to digital matters, financial activities and AML/CFT. Article 60 would notably repeal amended Law no. 1.491 of 23 June 2020 on token offerings and Title II of Law no. 1.528 of 7 July 2022.   A targeted approach Draft Law no. 1131 therefore adopts a targeted approach: only three crypto-asset services could be provided in the Principality, as an extension of existing financial activities and subject to prior CCAF authorisation. All other services falling within the proposed framework would be prohibited, together with any issuance of crypto-assets within Monaco. As the draft law remains subject to examination by the National Council, its provisions may evolve during the legislative process.

Declaring beneficial ownership is not merely an administrative formality. Monaco businesses must ensure that the information they provide is accurate, complete and regularly updated. Any failure to do so may have significant legal and administrative consequences.   Significant penalties for inaccurate declarations Where an inaccurate or incomplete declaration is made in bad faith, the penalties may include: imprisonment for up to six months; • a fine of up to €90,000. Even where bad faith has not been established, a failure to comply with the relevant reporting obligations may result in administrative measures. Monaco’s Business Development Agency may issue a formal notice requiring the company concerned to rectify the situation. The irregularity may also be referred to on the relevant register extract, while certain companies may face administrative fines of up to €20,000. If the failure persists, the matter may be referred to the Court of First Instance.   The obligation to report discrepancies Professionals subject to obligations relating to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, counter-proliferation financing and anti-corruption – AML/CFT-P-C – must also report any discrepancy between the information recorded on the beneficial ownership register and the information available to them through their own due diligence procedures. Failure to report a discrepancy may expose those concerned to: imprisonment for up to six months; • a fine of up to €180,000, which may be increased depending on the status of the person concerned; • additional penalties which, in the most serious cases, may extend to the dissolution of the legal entity.   Compliance as a core component of corporate governance Reliable beneficial ownership information and an effective compliance framework are not simply regulatory requirements. They are also essential components of responsible corporate governance, effective risk management and transparency within legal structures. Businesses and regulated professionals must therefore be able to demonstrate the relevance of their procedures, the effectiveness of their controls and the regular updating of the information they hold.   How Gordon S. Blair can assist Gordon S. Blair assists businesses and regulated professionals with: implementing and updating their AML/CFT-P-C frameworks; • conducting compliance audits; • carrying out mandatory periodic reviews; • identifying and addressing potential compliance weaknesses; • strengthening internal control and governance procedures. Should you have any questions regarding your obligations or wish to assess your compliance framework, our teams remain at your disposal.