Key facts
- MEPs want the European Commission to address corruption risks linked to crypto assets in its anti-corruption strategy.
- Lawmakers called for stronger efforts to trace, freeze, confiscate and recover criminal proceeds.
- The European Parliament adopted a nonbinding resolution on anti-corruption priorities.
- The EU's anti-corruption directive entered into force in May.
- The European Commission plans to adopt its anti-corruption strategy by the end of 2026.
Members of the European Parliament are urging the European Commission to include crypto assets in its upcoming anti-corruption strategy, citing concerns over corruption risks associated with opaque ownership structures and digital tools. Lawmakers adopted a nonbinding resolution on Thursday that outlines their priorities for the strategy, which aims to complement the EU's anti-corruption directive that became effective in May.
The directive harmonizes definitions of corruption offenses and minimum penalties across the bloc. Beyond asset recovery, MEPs also advocated for stricter rules on public procurement and grants, more standardized conflict of interest regulations, clearer lobbying rules, and common standards for political financing. Additionally, they called for enhanced protections for whistleblowers and investigative journalists.
The European Commission is expected to adopt its anti-corruption strategy by the end of 2026.