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How Do Anti-Money Laundering Laws Affect the Growth of Fintech Lending Platforms in Europe? Cover

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How Do Anti-Money Laundering Laws Affect the Growth of Fintech Lending Platforms in Europe?

Białostockie Studia Prawnicze

Volume 31 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Nicole Smith

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of anti-money laundering (AML) legislation on fintech lending platforms in the European context, focusing on the balance between protecting market integrity and safeguarding the expansion of innovation in the financial field, a tension that is encapsulated by the innovation trilemma. By analysing the current state of fintech lending and the evolving anti-money laundering regulatory landscape in Europe, the paper investigates how rigid compliance requirements can unintentionally suppress innovation. Furthermore, it discusses how these challenges can be overcome and assesses potential solutions, such as regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs. The study concludes that AML rules are essential to strengthen financial stability; however, a more harmonized and technologically adaptive regulatory approach is necessary to promote innovation without compromising risk mitigation. Strengthening international cooperation and taking advantage of digital regulatory tools could be key in determining the future of fintech compliance and sustainable growth.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15290/bsp.2026.31.01.13 | Journal eISSN: 2719-9452 | Journal ISSN: 1689-7404

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Language: English, Polish

Page range: 229 - 243

Submitted on: Jul 22, 2025

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Accepted on: Jan 8, 2026

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Published on: Apr 15, 2026

Published by: University of Białystok

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

fintech lending,

financial supervision,

legal compliance

Related subjects:

International law, foreign law, comparative law,

International law, foreign law, comparative law, other,

European law, other,

Social sciences,

Political science,

Political science, other

© 2026 Nicole Smith, published by University of Białystok
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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