Crypto compliance analyst: which AML cert actually matters (and how do I prove skills without real cases)?

I’m trying to move into crypto compliance / AML analyst roles from banking ops, and I’m stuck at the “what should I learn” stage. Everyone recommends a different certification, and most advice is just “learn KYC/AML” without saying what hiring teams actually treat as real signal.

If you’re working in compliance or hiring for it, what actually makes the decision point for an entry-level candidate?

Do you care about certifications (ACAMS / ICA / etc.) or more about understanding transaction monitoring + investigations workflows?
In interviews, how deep do you expect someone to explain Travel Rule, wallet risk scoring, and basic sanctions / typologies in plain language?

Also — what does a “portfolio” look like for compliance? I can’t publish real investigations. Would any of these be taken seriously:

short write-ups on public sanctions / enforcement cases,
a mock SAR (structure + reasoning), or
a simple triage framework for wallet risk?

I’m based in India, but I’m seeing more openings in UAE / Singapore / UK. If you had 60 days to make yourself employable for a junior crypto compliance role, what would you prioritize?

If you want it even more human, add one small line like: “I can study ~1 hour/day and don’t want to waste money on the wrong cert.”

Coming from banking ops is a solid base for how to switch from banking AML to crypto compliance roles — you already understand queues, escalation, and “what auditors care about.” If you’re looking for a crypto compliance analyst roadmap for beginners (India to UAE/UK), don’t over-index on courses first.

On certifications: one crypto AML course that recruiters actually respect can help, but only as a tie-breaker. The signal I actually screen for is: can you handle real work—triage, documentation, judgment. In interviews I lean hard on crypto compliance analyst interview questions (real scenarios) like: “You see rapid in/out flows from a new wallet, mixed exposure, and a high-risk geography—what do you do next and what do you write?”

And yes, you can build proof without access. A strong starter is exactly how to build a portfolio for AML/compliance without real case access: 2 public enforcement case write-ups + 1 mock SAR-style narrative. Also, be able to explain travel rule crypto meaning and why exchanges care in plain language (not legalese).