Securities / Derivatives

SFC Issues Licensing Guidance for Visiting and Returning Professionals

03/09/2024

The SFC provides guidance on licensing options for professionals visiting and returning to Hong Kong to conduct regulated activities.

AML / KYC

New Zealand to Introduce AML Amendment Bill in November

03/09/2024

A new cabinet paper sets out 25 proposals for further amendments to New Zealand’s AML/CFT Act.

Enforcement

SFC Imposes Lifetime Ban on Former UBS Associate Director

03/09/2024

The former associate director was banned for life following his conviction for laundering $1.8mn that he stole from UBS.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Launches Weekly Options on Hang Seng TECH Index

03/09/2024

In November, HKEX will also launch weekly options on stocks including HSBC Holdings, Alibaba, Tencent Holdings and BYD.

Market Infrastructure

Australia Consults on New Merger Notification Thresholds

02/09/2024

The notification thresholds determine which mergers must be notified to the ACCC under new rules commencing 1 Jan 2026.

AML / KYC

HKMA Fines WeChat Pay for AML Control Deficiencies

02/09/2024

WeChat Pay had control deficiencies in its process for undertaking CDD reviews and applying EDD measures.

Enforcement

ASIC Fines CLSA for Providing Incorrect Regulatory Data

30/08/2024

The failures arose from a change to CLSA’s global order management system that was “not adequately scoped and tested” before implementation.

Crypto / Digital Assets

HSBC Completes 3 PoC Use Cases in Project Ensemble Sandbox

30/08/2024

The three PoC use cases involve digital bonds, interbank transfers of tokenised deposits, and eBL settlement via tokenised deposits.

Market Infrastructure

Australia Issues New Anti-Foreign Bribery Guidance

29/08/2024

The guidance sets out six elements that should be included by corporations in their anti-bribery compliance programmes.