Strengthening Belgium’s financial response to organised crime
Think tank: RUSI
Author(s): Tom Keatinge; Kinga Redlowska
April 29, 2026
This report from UK think tank RUSI explores how Belgium could break the criminal business model through a finance-led approach.
This paper highlights the importance of Belgium taking a finance-led approach to dismantling criminal networks that operate in the country and across Europe. It examines systemic challenges, such as resource constraints, fragmented coordination and legal limitations, while offering actionable recommendations to enhance Belgium’s financial crime-fighting capabilities. Drawing on insights from a workshop hosted by RUSI Europe, the paper provides a roadmap for achieving the country’s mission of breaking the criminal business model and protecting its national security.
Key Recommendations:
Establish a central strategic coordination mechanism to align priorities and resources across federal, regional and local agencies.
Develop a national strategy to address vulnerabilities related to cash and informal value transfer systems (IVTSs).
Target professional money laundering networks to disrupt crime-as-a-service models. Invest in crypto investigation capabilities, including training, tools, and partnerships with virtual asset service providers.
Expand the use of administrative measures, such as integrity investigations, to disrupt cash-intensive organised crime activities.
Strengthen asset recovery efforts through international cooperation and adoption of advanced tools like unexplained wealth orders and non-conviction-based asset confiscation.
For Belgium, the foundations are in place, but the country must build on these and ensure that finance is placed on the frontline in response to the organised crime that affects not only Belgium, but also its neighbours and partner countries across Europe.
