Jersey's AML Revolution: Unlock the Three-Gateway Framework Before April 2026 Deadline!

Introduction

• The three-gateway framework is a pivotal update in the Jersey Financial Services Commission's (JFSC) revised Guidelines on the interpretation of Article 36 of the Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Law 1999 (POCL).
• Effective from 30 April 2026, it introduces a clear, step-by-step test to determine if a person or entity is conducting a "financial services business" under Schedule 2 of POCL.
• This triggers registration with the JFSC under the Proceeds of Crime (Supervisory Bodies) (Jersey) Law 2008 (SBL) and
• Full adherence to Jersey's anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and countering proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) regime.
• This framework
• Addresses ambiguities in prior guidance (from 2023), particularly around the "as a business" criterion, based on industry feedback.
• Promotes clarity, consistency, and alignment with FATF standards by emphasising the substance of activities over labels or structures.
• The revisions followed a consultation from December 2025 to January 30, 2026, with final feedback due by April 1, 2026.
• There's no retrospective application, but entities must reassess activities ongoingly.

The Three-Gateway Framework Explained

• All three gateways must be satisfied for Schedule 2 obligations to apply, including customer due diligence, risk assessments, and record-keeping.
• The test looks at activities holistically, including ancillary elements, to prevent evasion.

1. Activity Gateway: Does the Activity Fall Within Schedule 2?

• This step checks whether operations align with Schedule 2, Parts 1–4, which cover financial institutions (e.g., banking, lending), DNFBPs (e.g., trust services, real estate), virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and express trusts.
• Focus is on practical actions, not self-descriptions—e.g., fund management or securities issuance may qualify.

2. 'As a Business' Gateway: Is It Conducted 'As a Business'?

• A two-limbed test:
• (i) On a business, professional, or commercial basis (e.g., with profit motive, fees, or marketing—even one transaction if commercial); and
• (ii) With a customer present (broadly any third party in a relationship or transaction, including formalised intra-group).
• This refines earlier ambiguity; e.g., informal family aid is out, but fee-based professional services are in.

3. Jersey Nexus Gateway: Is There a Jersey Connection?

• Requires the business to be conducted in/from Jersey (broad factors like presence, marketing, or client base) or involve a Jersey entity (e.g., Jersey-incorporated company).
• Non-professional trustees are exempt from registration.

Fund-Related Clarifications

• For funds (e.g., under Schedule 2 Paragraph 9), "participation" in securities issues demands an active role (e.g., underwriters). General partners may qualify under portfolio management or directorships. The framework anticipates COBO regime changes in April 2026.

Action Steps for Compliance

With the deadline approaching:

• Review Activities: Apply the framework to your operations; document conclusions.
• Register if Needed: Use myJFSC portal; regulated funds may notify instead.
• Update Policies: Align with the AML/CFT/CPF Handbook (updates May 31, 2026).
• Monitor Developments: Watch JFSC for final guidelines; consult experts if uncertain.

All Web Sources (Compiled List)

1. AML/CFT/CPF Handbooks - Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/industry/financial-crime/amlcftcpf-handbooks
2. Update: AML/CFT/CPF Handbook - Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/news-and-events/update-amlcftcpf-handbook
3. UPDATED JFSC AML/CFT/CPF HANDBOOK NOW EXPECTED 31 MAY 2026 - Comsure - https://www.comsuregroup.com/news/updated-jfsc-amlcftcpf-handbook-now-expected-31-may-2026
4. UPDATED JFSC AML/CFT/CPF HANDBOOK NOW EXPECTED 31 MAY 2026 - Immediate Actions to Take and Prioritise - Comsure - https://www.comsuregroup.com/news/updated-jfsc-amlcftcpf-handbook-now-expected-31-may-2026-immediate-actions-to-take-and-prioritise
5. The issue affecting the consolidated AML/CFT/CPF Handbook has now been resolved ... - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jersey-financial-services-commission_the-issue-affecting-the-consolidated-aml-activity-7414624119369093120-hMUy
6. Best KYC SaaS in Jersey, 2026 Guide to JFSC AML Compliance - https://cascade.lu/resources/best-kyc-saas-jersey
7. Jersey delays AML handbook amendments until June 2026 - STEP - https://www.step.org/industry-news/jersey-delays-aml-handbook-amendments-until-june-2026
8. Handbook on Countering Financial Crime (AML/CFT/CPF) — GFSC - https://www.gfsc.gg/commission/financial-crime/handbook-on-countering-financial-crime-AML/CFT/CPF
9. AML/CFT/CPF Handbook - Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/news-and-events/amlcftcpf-handbook
10. JFSC Consultation Paper No 8 2025: Follow-on consultation: AML/CFT/CPF Handbook enhancements complex structures | Insights | Jersey Finance - https://www.jerseyfinance.com/insights/jfsc-consultation-paper-no-8-2025-follow-on-consultation-aml-cft-cpf-handbook-enhancements-complex-structures
11. Clarifying Schedule 2: The JFSC's Proposals For Revision Of Guidance For Article 36 Of The Proceeds Of Crime Law | Appleby - https://www.applebyglobal.com/publications/clarifying-schedule-2-the-jfscs-proposals-for-revision-of-guidance-for-article-36-of-the-proceeds-of-crime-law
12. Adjusting the scope of Schedule 2 - Walkers Global - https://www.walkersglobal.com/en/Insights/2025/09/Adjusting-the-scope-of-Schedule-2
13. Follow-on consultation: AML/CFT/CPF Handbook enhancements complex structures | Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/dimjchjk/follow-on-consultation-aml-cft-cpf-handbook-enhancements-complex-structures.pdf
14. JFSC confirms 2026 fees, clarifies Schedule 2 POCL scope | Metumo Shilongo posted on the topic | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/metumo-shilongo-955708131_feedback-on-proposed-fees-for-2026pdf-activity-7381346897644396544-MaVd
15. UPDATED JFSC AML/CFT/CPF HANDBOOK NOW EXPECTED 31 MAY 2026 - Comsure - https://www.comsuregroup.com/news/updated-jfsc-amlcftcpf-handbook-now-expected-31-may-2026
16. Draft Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202 - States Assembly - https://statesassembly.je/publications/propositions/2025/p-39-2025
17. Schedule 2 Forms - Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/industry/sectors/schedule-2-forms
18. Session 5 - JFL - JSCCA - https://jscca.org/uploads/documents/inline/pdf/session-5-jfl-compressed.pdf
19. Through the looking glass: Jersey's revised AML Regime | Bedell Cristin - https://www.bedellcristin.com/knowledge/articles/2023/through-the-looking-glass-jerseys-revised-aml-regime
20. Jersey delays AML handbook amendments until June 2026 - STEP - https://www.step.org/industry-news/jersey-delays-aml-handbook-amendments-until-june-2026
21. Law Firm | Jersey Funds and Regulatory Industry Update – January 2026 - Mourant - https://www.mourant.com/news-and-views/updates/updates-2026/jersey-funds-and-regulatory-industry-update---january-2026.aspx
22. Clarifying Schedule 2: The JFSC's Proposals For Revision Of Guidance For Article 36 Of The Proceeds Of Crime Law | Appleby - https://www.applebyglobal.com/publications/clarifying-schedule-2-the-jfscs-proposals-for-revision-of-guidance-for-article-36-of-the-proceeds-of-crime-law
23. Consultation on Schedule 2: proposed amendments to the Article 36 guidelines - Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/industry/consultations/consultation-on-schedule-2-proposed-amendments-to-the-article-36-guidelines
24. Consultation on Schedule 2: proposed amendments to the Article 36 guidelines - Jersey Financial Services Commission (PDF) - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/mjihrbwp/consultation-on-schedule-2-proposed-amendments-to-the-article-36-guidelines.pdf
25. COMSURE Briefing: The Importance of Including All AML Supervised Persons on a JFSC Public Register - https://www.comsuregroup.com/news/comsure-briefing-the-importance-of-including-all-aml-supervised-persons-on-a-jfsc-public-register
26. JFSC quarterly update - Q1 2026 — Jersey Financial Services Commission - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/news-and-events/jfsc-quarterly-update-q1-2026
27. Adjusting the scope of Schedule 2 - Walkers Global - https://www.walkersglobal.com/en/Insights/2025/09/Adjusting-the-scope-of-Schedule-2
28. Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) under Jersey's revised AML/CFT/CPF Regime (VASPs)? - Lexology - https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=90df87e1-34c8-483b-aa36-89d0af0c35db
29. UPDATED JFSC AML/CFT/CPF HANDBOOK NOW EXPECTED 31 MAY 2026 - Comsure - https://www.comsuregroup.com/news/updated-jfsc-amlcftcpf-handbook-now-expected-31-may-2026
30. National Strategy for Combating Money Laundering, the Financing of Terrorism, and the Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - Government of Jersey - https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Crime%20and%20justice/R%20National%20Strategy%20for%20Combatting%20Money%20Laundering.pdf
31. REGWATCH October 2025 - CACEIS - https://www.caceis.com/regwatch-2025/october-2025
32. Follow-on consultation: AML/CFT/CPF Handbook enhancements complex structures | Jersey Financial Services Commission (PDF) - https://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/dimjchjk/follow-on-consultation-aml-cft-cpf-handbook-enhancements-complex-structures.pdf
33. The JFSC AML/CFT/CPF Handbook enhancements have been deferred to 31 May 2026 - https://www.comsuregroup.com/news/the-jfsc-amlcftcpf-handbook-enhancements-have-been-deferred-to-31-may-2026
34. Regulatory Changes, Financial Markets – Week 35 | FinregE - https://finreg-e.com/regulatory-changes-financial-markets-week-35
35. Recent amendments to Jersey's AML/CFT/CPF Regime | 1 - Voisin Law - https://www.voisinlaw.com/resources/recent-amendments-to-jerseys-aml-cft-cpf-regime?pdf=2072
36. Jersey Financial Services Commission Annual Report 2023 - States Assembly - https://statesassembly.je/publications/assembly-reports/2024/r-113-2024
37. Proceeds of Crime Law - Jerseys AML CFT and CPF Regime - Walkers Global - https://www.walkersglobal.com/Insights/2024/10/Proceeds-of-Crime-Law---Jerseys-AML-CFT-and-CPF-regime
38. Channel Islands Funds Update: Q3 2023 - Ogier - https://www.ogier.com/news-and-insights/newsletters/channel-islands-funds-update-q3-2023
39. What is the revised scope of Jersey's AML/CFT/CPF Regime, and what are the options for those now in scope? - Mourant - https://www.mourant.com/news-and-views/updates/updates-2023/what-is-the-revised-scope-of-jersey-s-aml-cft-cpf-regime-and-what-are-the-options-for-those-now-in-scope-.aspx