What is the integration stage in money laundering?

The integration stage in money laundering is accurately characterized as the phase where laundered money is reintroduced into the economy as legitimate funds. This is the final step in the money laundering process, following the placement and layering stages. After illicit funds have been concealed and distanced from their criminal origin, the integration stage allows these funds to enter the economy in a way that appears legal, often through various financial transactions.

This could involve investing in businesses, purchasing assets, or transferring the funds into seemingly legitimate accounts. The primary goal at this stage is to make the money indistinguishable from legally obtained wealth, thereby allowing the criminal to use these funds without raising suspicion. The successful completion of integration enables individuals engaged in money laundering to freely utilize their illicit gains, which is why it's a critical phase in the overall process of laundering money.