Tech Risks and Compliance: What Should Firms Expect in 2025?

Compliance teams are having difficulty managing a number of tech risk elements, including cybersecurity concerns, in the constantly changing environment of today. Contrary to forecasts, however, economic uncertainty could not be the biggest threat to businesses this year. A March study found that 64% of 300 regulatory professionals thought that cybersecurity threats would probably result in problems with compliance. Rising regulatory complexity and global economic instability came in second and third, respectively, at 58%. But since then, a lot has changed. Are they still the main issues, or have threats related to technology suddenly become more serious?

The Role of Tech-Driven Risks in Compliance

Many tech-driven compliance risks today are rooted in artificial intelligence. Even though AI makes things more efficient, it can also make things more unpredictable, particularly when it comes to algorithmic trading models. Interactions between AI systems create market volatility that is more difficult to predict and manage. Because of this uncertainty, tech-driven risks were ranked as the top issue for 70% of proprietary trading organizations in 2025. AI is also assisting compliance experts in spotting intricate patterns of market exploitation. These days, machine learning methods increase trade surveillance accuracy and decrease false alarms. In addition to artificial intelligence, communicating on unmonitored apps like Signal or WhatsApp poses significant compliance issues. Moreover, changing laws about digital assets, such as the EU’s MiCA, are making compliance even more difficult. As a result, these risks for businesses are only made worse by the increase in global uncertainty.

How Global Unpredictability Aligns With Increasing Regulatory Action

So far, 2025 has been defined by economic volatility; supply chain problems, trade tariffs, and conflicts control markets. Despite this, businesses and regulators are learning to function in a chaotic environment. Businesses are improving their trade monitoring systems and recordkeeping structures to combat volatility. Weak internal controls are being punished by regulators more severely than real misbehavior. According to our analysis, inadequate trade and e-commerce surveillance accounted for 75% of all enforcement fines in 2024. Notably, mid-sized businesses are also facing severe penalties; tier-one banks are no longer the only ones subject to sanctions.

Why Robust Trade Surveillance Controls Are Crucial

While it is impossible to completely eradicate global risk, exposure can be decreased with effective compliance controls. These days, sandbox testing environments and dynamic settings allow modern surveillance systems to adapt to changes in the market. This flexibility guarantees that businesses satisfy changing regulatory requirements. When it comes to identifying wrongdoing, surveillance systems that integrate communication and trade data are very successful. eComms data frequently indicates purpose, whereas trade data displays suspicious conduct. Businesses can find abuse that would go undetected otherwise with the aid of an integrated approach.

Controlling the Uncontrollable with Smarter Compliance

The biggest danger for 2025 has not yet been determined, but important areas have already surfaced. Tech-driven hazards, regulatory complexity, and cybersecurity all remain important factors. Businesses must approach compliance holistically rather than concentrating on a single threat. Finding links between various risk categories provides a more profound understanding.

Only strong, well-integrated compliance systems provide dependable protection in volatile markets. The best defense against growing tech-related risks will continue to be readiness and early planning.