Spain's anti-money laundering authority just handed down one of the country's heaviest penalties in recent years to a major banking player, tied to real estate transactions from roughly a decade back. The fine targets legacy compliance gaps in a sector already under intense regulatory scrutiny. This move underscores how aggressively European financial watchdogs are pursuing historical violations—even when they span years—and sends a clear signal to the banking industry about enforcement priorities. For crypto platforms and fintech companies operating across EU jurisdictions, this case is a reminder that regulators don't forget: old exposure eventually catches up. Whether dealing with traditional banking or emerging finance, the bar for AML compliance keeps getting stricter.