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LEI supports EU Verification of Payee – digital illustration showing how the Legal Entity Identifier enhances payment verification and transparency across the EU.

How LEI Supports EU Verification of Payee and Compliance

BaltSec Phantom November 10, 2025

How LEI Supports EU Verification of Payee (VOP), AML Compliance and Cyber Security Europe has entered a new era of financial transparency where data verification and identity validation are as vital as the transactions themselves. At the centre of this transformation stands the Legal Entity Identifier, or LEI, a unique 20-character code that gives each legal entity a globally verifiable identity. If this concept is new to you, read our article “What is an LEI,” which explains how the system works and why it was created after the 2008 financial crisis. You can also read “LEI Code in the European Union: Why It’s Mandatory and How It Works” to understand its importance in regulation and compliance across the EU. Why LEI Codes Are Important for the EU Verification of Payee Mandate The Verification of Payee, or VOP, initiative in the

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Global financial connections over Asia at night symbolizing LEI system and digital identity

LEI code in Asia

Kristian Hein – LEI System November 3, 2025

LEI in Asia – A New Era of Trust Asia has emerged over the past decade as a global financial powerhouse, where technological innovation and regulatory discipline have created an ideal environment for transparency. At the center of this transformation stands the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). It is a unique 20-character code that gives every legal entity an internationally verifiable identity. For readers who are new to the concept, our article What is an LEI explains how the system works and why it was created after the 2008 financial crisis. You can also learn who needs an LEI number and how it improves transparency for businesses operating internationally. The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) has emphasized in its recent reports that the Asia-Pacific region is critical to the future of the LEI system. In this part of the world—where

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Stacked wooden cubes spelling “RISK” with text “Expired LEI Code” — concept image showing the risk of an expired LEI.

The Risks of an Expired LEI Code

Kristian Hein – LEI System October 9, 2025

When and Why to Renew Your LEI Code: The Risks of an Expired LEI The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is an international identification code that proves a company’s legal existence and ensures greater transparency in the global financial system. It works like a digital passport for your business — and, like any passport, it must be renewed regularly. Yet many companies overlook this step, not realizing the potential consequences.In this article, we explain why renewing your LEI matters, what happens when it expires, and how to avoid common mistakes. LEIs are valid for 12 months — and that year passes faster than you think Each issued LEI is valid for exactly 12 months from the date of its registration or last renewal. For example, if your company’s LEI was issued on October 10, 2025, it will expire on October 09,

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Hands typing on a laptop with digital lock and EU flag graphics, symbolizing NIS2 Directive and LEI code compliance.

NIS2 and LEI

BaltSec Phantom September 17, 2025

What Is NIS and Why NIS2 Matters The Network and Information Security Directive (NIS) was the EU’s first cybersecurity law, adopted in 2016. It required Member States to create competent authorities, set up national CSIRTs, and apply minimum risk management standards. Experience showed that NIS1 was too narrow. Many sectors were not covered, and obligations differed widely. That is why the EU adopted the NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555) on 14 December 2022. It was published in the Official Journal on 27 December 2022 and entered into force on 16 January 2023. All Member States had to transpose it into national law by 17 October 2024, replacing NIS1. You can read the official directive text on EUR-Lex. Who Must Comply with NIS2 NIS2 applies to two categories of entities: Essential entities – energy, transport, healthcare, digital infrastructure, public administration. Important

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Handshake with digital network overlay and text BIS • GLEIF • LEI – Global Standards for Trust

BIS, GLEIF and the LEI

Kristian Hein – LEI System September 1, 2025

Building Trust in the Global Financial System In the world of finance, trust is everything. But trust cannot exist without clear rules and reliable systems that allow banks, companies, and regulators to identify who is who. This is where global institutions like the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) come in — and why the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is here to stay. The LEI code is not just another regulatory requirement. It is a key part of a global effort, driven by BIS and its network, to make financial markets safer, more transparent, and more efficient. What is BIS and why does it matter? The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is often called the “bank for central banks.” Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, BIS brings together 63 central banks

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LEI Code in the USA – a global identifier for trust and transparency in business

LEI Code in the USA: What You Need to Know

Kristian Hein – LEI System August 13, 2025

A Global Identifier in a U.S. Context In today’s global business environment, trust and transparency have become more than just buzzwords—they are essential components of long-term success. Whether you are managing partnerships, entering new markets, or preparing for evolving regulatory frameworks, one tool is quietly becoming increasingly valuable in the U.S.: the Legal Entity Identifier, or LEI. An LEI is not simply a compliance checkbox—it’s a standardized, internationally trusted identifier that confirms a legal entity’s identity, credibility, and organizational structure. Although the U.S. does not mandate LEIs for all businesses, the advantages of having one are concrete and growing. Understanding the LEI and Why It Matters Now The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a unique 20-character alphanumeric code. It provides verified details about a company’s legal name, incorporation country, address, and ownership structure. The code answers the key questions of

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LEI and KYC – Legal Entity Identifier as a key part of Know Your Customer compliance

Streamlining KYC with the LEI Code

BaltSec Phantom August 4, 2025

How the LEI Creates a Global Trust Layer for Businesses In the intricate web of today’s global economy, Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance isn’t just a regulatory checkbox; it’s the bedrock of trust and security. Financial institutions, multinational corporations, and even growing SMEs face an ever-escalating battle against financial crime, fraud, and identity impersonation. The traditional KYC journey, often mired in manual checks and fragmented data, can be a significant bottleneck. But what if there was a universal key to unlock frictionless, reliable entity identification? What if one simple code could revolutionize how businesses onboard partners, verify clients, and manage ongoing due diligence? This isn’t a hypothetical. This is the power of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) code. The LEI: An International Trust Structure for the Digital Age At its core, the LEI is much more than just a 20-character alphanumeric code.

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EU LEI Requirement – European Union flags in front of the Commission building, symbolizing Legal Entity Identifier obligations in the EU

EU LEI Requirement: Why It’s Mandatory and How It Works

Kristian Hein – LEI System July 22, 2025

What to Know Before Entering EU Financial Markets If your company plans to enter the European Union’s financial markets—by opening a securities account or starting to use investment services—you’ll likely discover that you must obtain a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) before taking any further steps. Many businesses are unaware that without a valid LEI, it’s impossible to trade on stock exchanges, place trade orders, or even open a securities account. This is not just administrative formalism—it’s a binding regulatory requirement across the EU that ensures transparency and security within the financial system. What Is an LEI and Why Does the EU Require It? The LEI is a 20-character international identifier that uniquely identifies legal entities involved in financial transactions. It works like a digital passport for your company. It clearly shows who you are, what you own, and how you’re

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LEI history timeline – from the 2008 financial crisis to today, showing the Legal Entity Identifier as a global identity standard for business

Legal Entity Identifier – From Global Crisis to Global Trust

Kristian Hein – LEI System July 11, 2025

A Code That Started with a Crisis The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) isn’t just another compliance requirement—it’s a system built to restore trust in global finance. After the 2008 financial crisis, regulators around the world realized something alarming: there was no unified way to identify legal entities across markets. As a result, it was nearly impossible to assess who owed what to whom, and where risk was concentrated. To solve this, the G20 asked the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to design a solution. That initiative gave birth to the Global Legal Entity Identifier System (GLEIS). The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF), a non-profit based in Switzerland, has governed the LEI system since 2014. As of today, organizations have obtained over 2.9 million LEIs across more than 200 jurisdictions — making the LEI one of the most widely recognized global

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