Jurisdiction

A jurisdiction is the defined legal authority or geographic area where specific laws, regulations, and enforcement powers apply. In compliance, it establishes the framework under which an organization must operate. For financial institutions, this determines obligations such as anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, reporting rules, and privacy standards.For example, a bank in the United States is subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), while firms in the European Union must follow GDPR and AML directives. In global finance, multiple jurisdictions often overlap, especially in cross-border payments and digital services. Understanding jurisdictional scope is crucial for fintechs, payment providers, and financial services to manage risks, ensure compliance, and avoid regulatory breaches.