Glossary
Shell company
A shell company has no significant operations, employees or assets of its own. Shells have legitimate uses, such as holding structures, but they are also used to hide ownership and move funds with a business-like cover.
Why it matters for brokers and payment firms
Corporate accounts at brokers and payment firms are sometimes shells in layered structures. Declared business activity that does not match transaction patterns, and circular flows between related entities, deserve a closer look.