High-Risk Activities & Prohibited Jurisdictions

Last updated: February 24, 2026

At Mural, we operate under strict compliance, AML, and sanctions requirements.
To help customers and partners set clear expectations upfront, this article outlines:

  • Business activities Mural does not support

  • Industries that require additional review

  • Countries and regions where Mural cannot operate or requires Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

Reviewing this information early helps avoid onboarding delays, holds, or rejected transactions.

How to use this guide

Before onboarding or expanding your use of Mural, confirm:

  • Where your business is incorporated and operating

  • Where your customers, vendors, or beneficiaries are located

  • Your business model and source of funds

If your use case falls under a “Prohibited” category, Mural cannot support it.

High-Risk categories may still be supported, but require additional review and documentation.

Prohibited Business Activities

Mural does not support accounts, transactions, or relationships involving the following activities:

These activities are not eligible for onboarding or processing on Mural.

  • Shell banks or entities without verifiable physical presence, legitimate operations, or transparent beneficial ownership

  • Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)

  • Securities broker-dealers

  • Multi-level marketing (MLM) or pyramid schemes

  • Weapons, arms, defense, nuclear, or armament manufacturing or distribution

  • Cannabis or cannabis-related businesses

  • Pharmaceuticals, narcotics, or controlled substances (including prescription drugs, steroids, or related paraphernalia)

  • Prostitution or sex work

  • Money laundering or terrorist financing

  • Copyright, trademark, or intellectual property infringement

  • Debt settlement, refinance, or credit repair services

  • Court-ordered payments, structured settlements, or tax payments

  • Lottery contracts, layaway systems, or annuities

  • Counterfeit, forged, or fraudulent goods or services

  • Market manipulation, insider trading, wash trading, or other market-based fraud

  • Darknet or Tor-based marketplaces (even if legal goods are also sold)

  • Transactions involving sanctioned parties, countries, or digital assets

  • Entities operating from jurisdictions subject to FATF “Call for Action” (blacklist)

  • Cryptocurrency wallets flagged as “Severe Risk” by blockchain analytics providers

High-Risk Industries (Enhanced Due Diligence Required)

The following industries are not prohibited, but present higher inherent AML / CFT risk.

Customers operating in these sectors are subject to Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), including additional documentation and review.

  • Electronics and high-value goods trading

  • Construction and real estate development

  • Automobile and luxury vehicle sales

  • Precious metals, gemstones, and jewelry

  • Art, antiques, and collectibles

  • Mining and gold-related activities

  • Professional services (lawyers, accountants, consultants, notaries, real estate agents, precious metals dealers)

  • Licensed money services and currency exchange providers

  • Import/export or logistics involving high-risk jurisdictions

  • Entertainment and adult industry (including modeling or digital content platforms)

  • Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and related parties

  • Casinos, gambling, or gaming companies

  • Non-profit organizations (NGOs and NPOs)

  • Oil, gas, and extractive industries

Regions and Countries Mural Does Not Support

Prohibited Jurisdictions

Mural cannot onboard customers or process transactions involving the following locations:

  • Afghanistan

  • Cuba

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Gaza

  • Iran

  • Iraq

  • Myanmar (Burma)

  • North Korea

  • Somalia

  • Sudan

  • Syria

Accounts or transactions connected to these jurisdictions are not supported.

High-Risk Jurisdictions (EDD Required)

The following countries may be supported only after Enhanced Due Diligence and approval. Ongoing monitoring applies.

Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kenya, Kosovo, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, South Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, Vietnam, British Virgin Islands (UK), Yemen, Zimbabwe.

What to expect if you fall under a high-risk category

If your business involves a high-risk industry or jurisdiction, you may be asked to provide:

  • Additional KYB/KYC documentation

  • Source of funds and source of wealth information

  • Details on transaction flows and counterparties

This may result in longer onboarding timelines and ongoing monitoring.

Questions before onboarding?

For any specific or case-related questions, you can also contact our Compliance team directly at: [email protected]

Early clarity helps prevent onboarding delays, unexpected rejections, and compliance-related escalations.