Payments & Settlements

China, Maldives Sign MoU on Local Currency Trade Settlement

19/09/2024

The MoU establishes a framework for the settlement of current account transactions and direct investments using local currencies.

Trading & Investment

Saudi Exchange to List First HK-Focused ETFs This Year

18/09/2024

Hong Kong listed APAC’s first Saudi-focused ETF in November 2023. Paul Chan said two HK-focused ETFs will list in Saudi Arabia this year.

PEPs & Sanctions

US, Canada Announce New Human Rights Sanctions on Iran

18/09/2024

Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July, said he will ensure that authorities do not “bother” women.

PEPs & Sanctions

Canada Announces New Sanctions on Hamas and Israel Settlers

18/09/2024

This is Canada’s fourth round of sanctions imposed over the October 2023 attacks on Israel, and the third round over extremist settler violence.

PEPs & Sanctions

Meta Blocks Russian State Media on Facebook, Instagram

18/09/2024

Meta’s decision came just days after OFAC imposed sanctions on RT’s parent companies Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti.

Cryptocurrency

FSC Korea to Launch Virtual Asset Committee This Month

18/09/2024

The committee will discuss issues including a second stage of legislation for the virtual asset market and potential approval of spot crypto ETFs in Korea.

PEPs & Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions More Members of Intellexa Spyware Consortium

18/09/2024

The sanctions target five individuals and an entity for their roles in developing, operating, and distributing commercial spyware technology marketed under the “Predator” brand.

Supervision & Enforcement

US SEC Fines 12 Municipal Advisors for Record Keeping Violations

18/09/2024

The 12 firms agreed to pay combined penalties of more than $1.3mn for failures to preserve records of business communications using unofficial channels.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

France Attempting to Use New Cybercrime Law Against Telegram Founder

18/09/2024

The LOPMI law, enacted in 2023 and as yet untested, is the first globally that gives a court the power to punish executives for abuse of the platforms they operate.