For anyone working in online retail, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of major change. Customers are increasingly starting to expect every kind of payment option to be available, from bank transfers and e-wallets to buy now, pay later (BNPL) schemes and, in some locations, even crypto.
These choices help retailers reach more people, but they also introduce new risks. The more payment routes you offer, the more avenues criminals have to test your defenses. Without stronger compliance and fraud controls to support anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, many retailers can quickly find themselves facing financial losses, regulatory trouble and serious reputational damage.
In 2024 alone, money laundering made up £337 million of economic crime in the UK, and retail was the hardest-hit sector, making up 49% of fraud by value in 2024. All the while, traditional fraud has not disappeared from the retail scene either. Stolen cards, account takeovers, refund abuse and identity fraud still affect many retailers. A 2025 global survey found 98% of merchants have experienced one or more types of fraud in the past 12 months.
Much of what we are seeing in the online retail space now feels familiar. The rise of fraud and money laundering in ecommerce echoes patterns that SOFTSWISS and other leading global companies in iGaming are very familiar with, because the fast payments processing and fragmented customer journeys present in online entertainment can create ideal conditions for abuse.
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What’s changing is the speed and sophistication of the threats. Criminals are now using generative AI tools to vastly scale identity fraud, automate card testing, create deepfake documents and enable a broader range of illicit activity. A 2025 global review of ecommerce risk reports significant growth in AI-powered schemes across every major retail category. The weaponization of generative AI, increasingly complex schemes and evolving regulatory frameworks are reshaping the ecommerce landscape.
This is why AI has shifted from a convenience to a necessity. Forward-thinking online businesses across sectors, including retailers, are using machine learning, anomaly detection, device fingerprinting and behavioural biometrics to spot suspicious activity in real time. These tools help teams catch issues earlier and reduce the likelihood of false positives.
Checkout experiences are also improving. Instead of blocking transactions outright, real-time scoring allows businesses to apply extra verification only when the risk appears truly genuine, keeping the process smoother for customers.
The pressure to get the processes right is only increasing. Even the best technology needs a strong process for optimal operation. Compliance can no longer be treated as a one-time KYC (know-your-customer) exercise. It has to be continuous and data-driven, covering ongoing monitoring, regular risk assessments and clear escalation workflows. Retailers also need to take third-party risk seriously. Payment processors, crypto service providers and affiliate partners all create extra exposure for online businesses they support if they lack proper reporting and oversight.
2026 will force a choice. Businesses that invest in stronger AML frameworks, AI-powered detection and better governance will set themselves up for safer growth.
Ultimately, AML is no longer just a compliance requirement. It’s a protector of brand reputation and a foundation for long term trust. As payment options grow and criminal schemes become more automated, retailers need to build resilience into their ecosystems before the new year turns today’s risks into tomorrow’s losses.
Eleni Panagiotoupoulou is the Head of AML at SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of tech for iGaming, where she leads the Anti-Money Laundering strategy and compliance operations across multiple jurisdictions. With over 10 years of experience in financial crime prevention and iGaming compliance, Panagiotoupoulou has a successful track record of AML compliance for such organisations at the Malta Financial Services Authority and Megarush. She was named AML Professional of 2025 by the Global Regulatory Awards, is a certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and is certified by the International Compliance Association (ICA) in Money Laundering Risk in Betting and Gaming. She is also an AML Key Function Holder approved by the Malta Gaming Authority and the Hellenic Gaming Commission.
