Fast-moving events may be hastening the end of European tax havens as we know them:

•  The current Liechtenstein scandal, where German law enforcement allegedly paid $5.9m for data reportedly "liberated" by a bank staff member at the Cayman branch of an important Liechtenstein financial institution, raises serious issues, Given the rumblings by EU countries about the fact that the present state of events in European tax havens is unacceptable to them, the protestations of the Crown Prince of Liechtenstein will most likely fall upon deaf ears. The data is apparently more important than maintaining the cozy relationship wth the Principality.
•  The Swiss case, which involves an injunction obtained in US District Court against an apparent whistleblower who has admittedly leaked incriminating documents about customers of a prominent Swiss bank, may be the shape of things to come. An unhappy senior banker with issues against his employer may have let the cat out of the bag with regard to trust activity of wealthy, publicity-shy clients of the bank. Will we see more of this whistleblowing against bank secrecy in the future?
• Let us not also not forget the recent unsolved murder of a Swiss banker in the Cayman Islands. Who or what was behind that crime? It is disturbing that his vehicle was set afire post-homicide. Crime of opportunity or something much more sinister?

Is it not time for the European tax havens to move into the world of transparency and mutual cooperation? After all, is not the ultimate goal to eliminate " harmful tax practices" and promote uniformity within the region? It certainly look like Europe wants to make their home-grown tax havens conform to the standards they themselves adhere to. Will it happen? Stay tuned.