Certified Capital
Lopezmarqués has developed a proprietary certification system to verify the legitimate origin of capital. Through a unique set of protocols and audit methods, the firm provides legal assurance that funds are untainted by criminal sources —reducing the reputational and regulatory risks faced by third parties and helping prevent the circulation of illicit finance.
In response to this evolving legal and reputational landscape, Lopezmarqués has developed a proprietary system for certifying clean capital —offering clients a legally defensible and internationally credible method of verifying the legitimacy of funds.
The firm’s new framework goes beyond conventional anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. It introduces a structured, evidence-based methodology to audit the origin of capital and issue a certification that explicitly confirms it is untainted by criminal sources. This is particularly relevant in complex transactions involving high-net-worth individuals, cross-border investments, private equity, or opaque ownership structures where reputational exposure can be significant.
”Financial institutions and corporate actors are increasingly being held responsible for the funds they accept or move
Juan José López MarquésFounder & Managing Partner of Lopezmarqués
The fight against money laundering also holds a prominent place on the European agenda. So much so, that since the first EU Directive in this field was adopted in 1991, increasingly ambitious regulations have been introduced. The most recent are the fifth and sixth directives, which expand both the scope of the legislation and the obligations imposed on covered entities.
Additionally, a new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) is currently being developed. This body will have direct supervisory powers over certain entities and aims to improve coordination and the effectiveness of the European system.
”We created this protocol to provide clarity where due diligence alone is no longer enough
Understanding what constitutes money laundering is essential for legislators, authorities, and also for companies involved in trade and financial markets. Among the most important preventative measures — many of which are rooted in Anglo-Saxon practice — are: know your client; follow the money; keep records; report signs of money laundering; and act on any suspicious transactions. All of this must be guided by a culture of prevention — a principle that underpins not only the legal framework, but also the concrete responsibilities of companies when it comes to preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
The proper application of these measures requires thorough analysis of client identity and the legitimacy of each transaction. It also entails ongoing due diligence, continuous monitoring of business relationships, and the reporting of suspicious activity — elements that must not be treated as mere formalities, but as critical components of an effective system. A system that must be agile, operational, and compatible with the economic development of legitimate business activity, while safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals — avoiding any justification for extremism in the name of overregulation.