Stephen Abbott Pugh
@stephenabbottpugh.bsky.social
Beneficial ownership transparency, data and standardisation expert. Offering technical guidance and consultancy support https://www.beneficialownership.co.uk/
Talk to me about the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard https://standard.openownership.org/
Talk to me about the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard https://standard.openownership.org/
Pinned
How the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard can help EU member states to decipher information on complex corporate structures 🔍🇪🇺
www.linkedin.com/posts/stephe...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #datastandards #interoperability #AMLR #AMLA #UBO #AML #CDD #customerduediligence #opensource
www.linkedin.com/posts/stephe...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #datastandards #interoperability #AMLR #AMLA #UBO #AML #CDD #customerduediligence #opensource
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
⚠️ The government’s #ElectionsBill announced last week needs major work if it is to achieve its goal of ending foreign and undue interference in our democracy. Here are 7️⃣ essential measures that Parliamentarians need to take forward before the Bill becomes law. 🧵
New Representation of the People Bill – Still far to go to protect UK democracy - Spotlight on Corruption
The government’s Representation of the People Bill goes some way towards protecting our democracy by introducing stronger checks on donations and enhancing
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:58 PM
⚠️ The government’s #ElectionsBill announced last week needs major work if it is to achieve its goal of ending foreign and undue interference in our democracy. Here are 7️⃣ essential measures that Parliamentarians need to take forward before the Bill becomes law. 🧵
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
Legislation designed to strengthen the electoral system against foreign interference contains exploitable loopholes, the Electoral Commission has warned
Vijay Rangarajan tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social that the bill as drafted lacks “protection against oligarchs"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Vijay Rangarajan tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social that the bill as drafted lacks “protection against oligarchs"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour bill doesn’t go far enough to stop foreign interfe...
The government’s new bill is intended to shut down foreign fronts, yet the Electoral Commission says the party's so-called zero-tolerance approach to overseas oligarchs is rubbish
observer.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Legislation designed to strengthen the electoral system against foreign interference contains exploitable loopholes, the Electoral Commission has warned
Vijay Rangarajan tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social that the bill as drafted lacks “protection against oligarchs"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Vijay Rangarajan tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social that the bill as drafted lacks “protection against oligarchs"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
According to multiple sources and internal documents viewed by Fortune, investigators on Binance's compliance team uncovered evidence that entities tied to Iran had received more than $1 billion, in potential violation of sanctions laws. https://bit.ly/3OsmtHT
Binance fires top investigators who claim to have uncovered evidence of Iranian sanctions violations | Fortune
Internal findings by the fired investigators reviewed by Fortune pointed to over $1 billion in Tether flowing through Binance to Iran-linked wallets.
bit.ly
February 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
According to multiple sources and internal documents viewed by Fortune, investigators on Binance's compliance team uncovered evidence that entities tied to Iran had received more than $1 billion, in potential violation of sanctions laws. https://bit.ly/3OsmtHT
So later this year, there’ll be a Brit in charge of FATF while the UK will hold the G20 presidency as well as being co-chairs of the Open Government Partnership… www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publicati...
Bodes well for being able to build on momentum in the wake of the Illicit Finance Summit in June 🤞
Bodes well for being able to build on momentum in the wake of the Illicit Finance Summit in June 🤞
Outcomes FATF Plenary, 11-13 February 2026
The fifth Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary meeting under the Mexican Presidency of Elisa de Anda Madrazo concluded today, with action agreed to help stop fraudsters and other criminals from ...
www.fatf-gafi.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:09 AM
So later this year, there’ll be a Brit in charge of FATF while the UK will hold the G20 presidency as well as being co-chairs of the Open Government Partnership… www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publicati...
Bodes well for being able to build on momentum in the wake of the Illicit Finance Summit in June 🤞
Bodes well for being able to build on momentum in the wake of the Illicit Finance Summit in June 🤞
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
European countries need to create a “rapid reaction force” of up to 100,000 troops to replace American soldiers currently stationed on the continent, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told us in an exclusive interview at the #POLITICOPub at #MSC2026 today.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
February 13, 2026 at 5:55 PM
European countries need to create a “rapid reaction force” of up to 100,000 troops to replace American soldiers currently stationed on the continent, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told us in an exclusive interview at the #POLITICOPub at #MSC2026 today.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued new regulations "streamlining" the amount of beneficial ownership checks that financial institutions have to do on legal entities www.fincen.gov/news/news-re...
www.fincen.gov
February 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM
The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued new regulations "streamlining" the amount of beneficial ownership checks that financial institutions have to do on legal entities www.fincen.gov/news/news-re...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
The Trump administration is repurposing what’s left of USAID. My latest with the great Jon Landay
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show
The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an archit...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:54 PM
The Trump administration is repurposing what’s left of USAID. My latest with the great Jon Landay
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
Great to see Armenia's @opengovpartnership.org commitment to reuse its beneficial ownership data as part of procurement reforms www.opengovpartnership.org/members/arme...
Armenia was one of the first countries to adopt the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard
#beneficialownership #openstandards
Armenia was one of the first countries to adopt the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard
#beneficialownership #openstandards
E-procurement system: Automated transfer of data of beneficial owners (AM0058) | Commitment from Armenia | Open Government Partnership
www.opengovpartnership.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Great to see Armenia's @opengovpartnership.org commitment to reuse its beneficial ownership data as part of procurement reforms www.opengovpartnership.org/members/arme...
Armenia was one of the first countries to adopt the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard
#beneficialownership #openstandards
Armenia was one of the first countries to adopt the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard
#beneficialownership #openstandards
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
Where do parents find the time to parent? Less sleep, work and screens.
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
February 13, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Where do parents find the time to parent? Less sleep, work and screens.
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
If Europe wants to buy European, it needs to see through shell companies
stephenabbottpugh.medium.com/if-europe-wa...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #publicprocurement
stephenabbottpugh.medium.com/if-europe-wa...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #publicprocurement
If Europe wants to buy European, it needs to see through shell companies
The phrase “Buy European” is top of the news agenda across Europe today.
stephenabbottpugh.medium.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
If Europe wants to buy European, it needs to see through shell companies
stephenabbottpugh.medium.com/if-europe-wa...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #publicprocurement
stephenabbottpugh.medium.com/if-europe-wa...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #publicprocurement
Czechia’s Babiš faces accusations he didn’t fully cut ties to his agricultural empire (@politico.eu)
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
Sense of déjà vu... Here's the beneficial ownership structure Babiš used for Agrofert last time he became Czech Prime Minister www.openownership.org/en/publicati...
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
Sense of déjà vu... Here's the beneficial ownership structure Babiš used for Agrofert last time he became Czech Prime Minister www.openownership.org/en/publicati...
February 13, 2026 at 5:57 AM
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
The repeal of the "endangerment finding" will make it harder for future administrations to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act without a new law or amendment passed by Congress—with serious public health and climate consequences
What repealing the 'endangerment finding' means for public health
The EPA has scrapped a rule stating that climate change harms human health. Here’s what that could mean
www.scientificamerican.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The repeal of the "endangerment finding" will make it harder for future administrations to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act without a new law or amendment passed by Congress—with serious public health and climate consequences
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
The Dutch branch of Louis Vuitton has agreed to pay a 500,000 euro ($594,000) settlement in connection with a money laundering case, public prosecutors in the Netherlands announced on Thursday.
Dutch Prosecutors Fine Louis Vuitton Netherlands in Money Laundering Case
The Dutch subsidiary of the luxury brand agreed to pay a nearly $600,000 settlement in a money laundering and terrorism financing case.
nyti.ms
February 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The Dutch branch of Louis Vuitton has agreed to pay a 500,000 euro ($594,000) settlement in connection with a money laundering case, public prosecutors in the Netherlands announced on Thursday.
Czechia’s Babiš faces accusations he didn’t fully cut ties to his agricultural empire (@politico.eu)
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
Sense of déjà vu... Here's the beneficial ownership structure Babiš used for Agrofert last time he became Czech Prime Minister www.openownership.org/en/publicati...
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
Sense of déjà vu... Here's the beneficial ownership structure Babiš used for Agrofert last time he became Czech Prime Minister www.openownership.org/en/publicati...
February 12, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Czechia’s Babiš faces accusations he didn’t fully cut ties to his agricultural empire (@politico.eu)
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
Sense of déjà vu... Here's the beneficial ownership structure Babiš used for Agrofert last time he became Czech Prime Minister www.openownership.org/en/publicati...
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
Sense of déjà vu... Here's the beneficial ownership structure Babiš used for Agrofert last time he became Czech Prime Minister www.openownership.org/en/publicati...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
C4ADS is partnering on the Global OSINT Conference — a practitioner-driven forum for people doing impactful investigations.
📅 5 October 2026 | 📍 London | 🎟️ Tickets: £35
Co-organized by @osint-community.bsky.social and the @PoliceDigital, with BISI.
More information and tickets 👇
buff.ly/f48ei94
📅 5 October 2026 | 📍 London | 🎟️ Tickets: £35
Co-organized by @osint-community.bsky.social and the @PoliceDigital, with BISI.
More information and tickets 👇
buff.ly/f48ei94
February 12, 2026 at 6:01 PM
C4ADS is partnering on the Global OSINT Conference — a practitioner-driven forum for people doing impactful investigations.
📅 5 October 2026 | 📍 London | 🎟️ Tickets: £35
Co-organized by @osint-community.bsky.social and the @PoliceDigital, with BISI.
More information and tickets 👇
buff.ly/f48ei94
📅 5 October 2026 | 📍 London | 🎟️ Tickets: £35
Co-organized by @osint-community.bsky.social and the @PoliceDigital, with BISI.
More information and tickets 👇
buff.ly/f48ei94
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
Eight former U.S. ambassadors to NATO and eight former U.S. supreme commanders in Europe issued a joint letter arguing for continuing Washington’s commitment to the NATO alliance, calling it “the cornerstone of United States national security” and “vital” to preserving U.S. global interests.
NATO Remains Vital to U.S. Security, Ex-Ambassadors and Generals Say
Despite doubts over Washington’s commitment to European security, the alliance enhances American national interests, a bipartisan group of 16 high-level former officials wrote in a joint letter.
nyti.ms
February 12, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Eight former U.S. ambassadors to NATO and eight former U.S. supreme commanders in Europe issued a joint letter arguing for continuing Washington’s commitment to the NATO alliance, calling it “the cornerstone of United States national security” and “vital” to preserving U.S. global interests.
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
🆕 BLOG
The new law to safeguard our democracy does little to address a longstanding and ever-present threat.
As the new elections bill is published, @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social argues that more must be done to tackle the influence of money in politics.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/governm...
The new law to safeguard our democracy does little to address a longstanding and ever-present threat.
As the new elections bill is published, @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social argues that more must be done to tackle the influence of money in politics.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/governm...
The Government’s elections bill is necessary but not sufficient to tackle the corrosive influence of money in politics.
The new law claims to safeguard our democracy yet does little to address a longstanding and ever-present threat.
www.transparency.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:21 PM
🆕 BLOG
The new law to safeguard our democracy does little to address a longstanding and ever-present threat.
As the new elections bill is published, @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social argues that more must be done to tackle the influence of money in politics.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/governm...
The new law to safeguard our democracy does little to address a longstanding and ever-present threat.
As the new elections bill is published, @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social argues that more must be done to tackle the influence of money in politics.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/governm...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
How the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard can help EU member states to decipher information on complex corporate structures 🔍🇪🇺
www.linkedin.com/posts/stephe...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #datastandards #interoperability #AMLR #AMLA #UBO #AML #CDD #customerduediligence #opensource
www.linkedin.com/posts/stephe...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #datastandards #interoperability #AMLR #AMLA #UBO #AML #CDD #customerduediligence #opensource
February 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM
How the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard can help EU member states to decipher information on complex corporate structures 🔍🇪🇺
www.linkedin.com/posts/stephe...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #datastandards #interoperability #AMLR #AMLA #UBO #AML #CDD #customerduediligence #opensource
www.linkedin.com/posts/stephe...
#beneficialownership #openstandards #datastandards #interoperability #AMLR #AMLA #UBO #AML #CDD #customerduediligence #opensource
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
New rules will mean companies will have had to make sufficient revenue to cover their political donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK
Huge change to political donation rules to close loopholes on foreign cash
Labour frontbencher Steve Reed today unveils legislation to stop foreign donors interfering with UK politics - while also letting 16 and 17 year olds vote in elections for the first time
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
New rules will mean companies will have had to make sufficient revenue to cover their political donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
🚨 BREAKING: The Belgian police has raided the European Commission buildings as part of a property sale probe.
Read the developing story: www.politico.eu/article/belg...
Read the developing story: www.politico.eu/article/belg...
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 PM
🚨 BREAKING: The Belgian police has raided the European Commission buildings as part of a property sale probe.
Read the developing story: www.politico.eu/article/belg...
Read the developing story: www.politico.eu/article/belg...
Here's the Representation of the People Bill - put forward by Steve Reed MP - proposing new rules for the UK when it comes to elections, political donations and campaigning bills.parliament.uk/bills/4080
Press release: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Press release: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Representation of the People Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Current version of Representation of the People Bill with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses
bills.parliament.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Here's the Representation of the People Bill - put forward by Steve Reed MP - proposing new rules for the UK when it comes to elections, political donations and campaigning bills.parliament.uk/bills/4080
Press release: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Press release: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
Trump-linked World Liberty Financial to launch forex remittance platform reut.rs/4tz5wvp
Trump-linked World Liberty Financial to launch forex remittance platform
World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture backed by the family of U.S. President Donald Trump, said on Thursday it plans to roll out a new foreign exchange and remittance platform, offering simplified services with lower fees.
reut.rs
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Trump-linked World Liberty Financial to launch forex remittance platform reut.rs/4tz5wvp
"Transparency, compliance and accountability are not just abstract concepts that pose no consequences when ignored"
Why Indonesia's stock market crash is a self-inflicted governance failure - The Reformist
www.thereformist.id/p/editorial-...
Why Indonesia's stock market crash is a self-inflicted governance failure - The Reformist
www.thereformist.id/p/editorial-...
Editorial: Why the stock market crash is a self-inflicted governance failure
The MSCI warning did not cause the meltdown. It exposes a problem ignored for too long.
www.thereformist.id
February 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM
"Transparency, compliance and accountability are not just abstract concepts that pose no consequences when ignored"
Why Indonesia's stock market crash is a self-inflicted governance failure - The Reformist
www.thereformist.id/p/editorial-...
Why Indonesia's stock market crash is a self-inflicted governance failure - The Reformist
www.thereformist.id/p/editorial-...
Reposted by Stephen Abbott Pugh
Belgian police have raided the European Commission, targeting premises in Brussels including the budget department, in a probe looking at potential irregularities in the sale of real estate assets - two people briefed told @paolatamma.bsky.social & @lauramdubois.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/bca6b36e-5...
as.ft.com/r/bca6b36e-5...
Belgian police raid European Commission over sale of properties
[FREE TO READ] Investigation concerns potential irregularities in the sale of real estate assets in 2024
as.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Belgian police have raided the European Commission, targeting premises in Brussels including the budget department, in a probe looking at potential irregularities in the sale of real estate assets - two people briefed told @paolatamma.bsky.social & @lauramdubois.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/bca6b36e-5...
as.ft.com/r/bca6b36e-5...