The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN, on Monday announced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and is asking for public comment on a potential rule to address the vulnerability of the U.S. real estate market to money laundering and other illicit activity.

The proposed rule that would enhance the transparency of the domestic real estate market on a nationwide basis and protect the U.S. real estate market from exploitation by criminals and corrupt officials, according to FinCEN.

The systemic money laundering vulnerabilities presented by the U.S. real estate sector, and consequently, the ability of illicit actors to launder criminal proceeds through the purchase of real estate, threatens U.S. national security and the integrity of the U.S. financial system, according to the agency.

FinCEN is strongly encouraging the public to submit written comments in response to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, saying that diverse viewpoints and substantive suggestions will help the agency develop a proposed regulation that “appropriately balances the need to address the vulnerabilities of the real estate market with any potential costs such measures may impose.”

Once published in the Federal Register, comments will be accepted for 60 days.