Stablecoins

Hong Kong Tests First Regulated HKD Stablecoin on Public Blockchain

25/05/2026

Licensed firms have completed a live transfer test of the HKDAP stablecoin on Ethereum, marking a key step towards practical implementation.

Cybersecurity

Japan Urges Banks to Bolster Defences as It Gains Access to Advanced AI

25/05/2026

Regulators have issued new guidance on AI-powered cyber threats as the government and major banks are set to receive access to Anthropic's powerful Claude Mythos model.

Anti-Money Laundering

Australia and Indonesia Join Forces to Disrupt Cross-Border Child Exploitation

25/05/2026

FIUs from Australia and Indonesia have completed a week of action in Jakarta to uncover and disrupt financial flows linked to child sexual exploitation.

KYC & CDD

Hong Kong Regulators Mandate Stricter Controls on Client Onboarding

25/05/2026

The SFC and HKMA have ordered firms to review client accounts and tighten controls following a probe into onboarding deficiencies.

Capital Adequacy

Philippines Finalises Rules for Releasable Bank Capital Buffer

25/05/2026

The central bank will require banks to build releasable capital buffers that can be drawn down during crises to sustain lending, a move that aligns the country with other jurisdictions in the region.

Structural Regulation

Philippines SEC Finalises Term Limit Rules for PSE Directors

25/05/2026

The SEC has finalised a governance overhaul for the PSE, imposing tenure caps and board diversity requirements to align with international standards.

Sustainable Finance

Japan to Widen Green Bond Scope Amid Issuance Slowdown

25/05/2026

Tokyo plans to revise its green bond guidelines to include a broader range of technologies, responding to a downturn in climate-related fundraising.

Sustainable Finance

Cathay United Bank Joins MAS-Backed Green Investment Partnership

25/05/2026

Cathay United is the first bank from Taiwan to join the blended finance platform, which aims to fund sustainable infrastructure in Asia and is expected to reach USD 800 million.

AI Risk & Governance

StanChart Faces Regulator Scrutiny in Asia Over CEO’s AI Job Cut Remarks

25/05/2026

Regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore have questioned Standard Chartered over its CEO’s comments on replacing staff with artificial intelligence.