Decision to strike down anti-money laundering rule highlights gaps in property oversight and potential implications for Jamaica’s housing market
Kingston, Jamaica — 23 March 2026
A United States federal judge has struck down a key rule requiring disclosure of beneficial ownership in certain real estate transactions, a decision that could reshape how property markets address money laundering risks and may carry wider implications for countries such as Jamaica.
The rule, introduced in 2024 by the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), sought to prevent anonymous purchases of property through shell companies by requiring identification of the individuals behind all-cash real estate transactions. Its removal reopens longstanding concerns about transparency in one of the world’s most significant property markets.
The ruling, delivered by a federal judge in Texas, found that the agency had exceeded its statutory authority. In particular, the judgment questioned whether n…
