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Willful Violation Requirement

Definition

The Willful Violation Requirement specifies that a legal or regulatory infraction must have been committed intentionally, with knowledge of its illegality, for certain penalties to apply. This standard demands proof that the accused acted deliberately and not merely negligently or accidentally. In financial and digital asset regulation, demonstrating willful intent often leads to more severe sanctions, distinguishing accidental non-compliance from deliberate disregard for rules. It serves as a higher bar for prosecuting certain offenses.