Anti-Money Laundering Compliance and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF): A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends and Emerging Themes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/w59zh507Keywords:
Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Compliance, Financial Crime, Bibliometric Analysis, Science Mapping, Regulatory Governance, Financial RegulationAbstract
Anti-money laundering compliance and the FATF are the global norms that identify money laundering, financing of terrorism, and financial crime, including international organizations that develop standards and regulatory guidance in the global field to guide the private sector. The global digital complex financial markets increase the amount of research on anti-money laundering compliance. Yet the intellectual landscape and thematic development of the literature is fragmented. This research examines the field in terms of its structure by evaluating 358 articles in Scopus database (1997–2026). Research article selection follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and science mapping procedures are included in the research using Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny tools. The findings indicate a steady growth in publications, with an annual growth rate of 4.9%, particularly after 2018. The Journal of Money Laundering Control emerged as the leading publication source, while the “United Kingdom, China, Australia, and the United States” were the most productive contributors. Thematic analysis identified three major research streams: regulatory governance, institutional compliance mechanisms, and technology-driven innovations, including cryptocurrency, blockchain, virtual assets, and risk-based approaches. The research demonstrates that AML research has evolved into a multidisciplinary field and provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners while identifying priorities for future AML and FATF research.
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