AMLA Chair Bruna Szego faced a mix of support and pointed questions from MEPs during a joint ECON-LIBE hearing on 15 July 2026, as she presented the authority's first annual report. Lawmakers broadly welcomed progress but diverged on implementation, with some questioning whether the risk-based model adequately covers smaller actors and others arguing that micro-enterprises and politically exposed persons (PEPs) face disproportionate burdens.
Luděk Niedermayer (EPP) pressed for clarity on how AMLA selects entities for direct supervision, while Fabienne Keller (Renew) warned that focusing on 40 cross-border groups could miss smaller risky actors. Szego defended the model as risk-based, arguing it targets the highest threats. Enikő Győri and Tomas Kubin (both Patriots) contended that micro-enterprises and PEPs face excessive compliance costs; Szego acknowledged the concerns but cited constraints from the level 1 regulation.
On sectoral risks, Irene Tinagli (S&D) and Martin Gunther (The Left) highlighted opaque structures and loopholes in real estate, with Szego outlining phased tools for non-financial sectors. Marlena Malag (ECR) and Billy Kelleher (Renew) flagged crypto-market fragmentation after MiCAR, and Szego said crypto strategy and coordination are priorities. Birgit Sippel (S&D) and Giuseppe Antoci (The Left) stressed privacy and cooperation with Europol, EPPO, and OLAF; Szego noted two working arrangements near finalisation. Emil Radev (EPP) linked AMLA to sanctions enforcement, and Szego confirmed embedding sanctions in guidelines.
Consensus emerged on real estate vulnerability, crypto risks, and the need for inter-agency cooperation. Next steps: AMLA continues rulebook work, with direct supervision selection starting in July 2027. Affected stakeholders include financial and non-financial obliged entities, crypto-asset service providers, real estate professionals, and national supervisors.