Definition ∞ Financial Surveillance Expansion is the broadening of governmental or institutional monitoring capabilities over financial transactions and activities. This includes increasing data collection, analytical tools, and cross-border information sharing. In the digital asset space, it targets illicit activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing. This expansion seeks to enhance regulatory oversight and market integrity.
Context ∞ The rise of digital assets and decentralized finance presents both challenges and opportunities for financial surveillance expansion. Governments worldwide are investing in technologies to trace crypto transactions and identify bad actors. Discussions in news media often balance the need for security against concerns regarding individual privacy and data protection.