G20 Agrees to Suspend Debt Payments for Low Income Nations

15/04/2020

The G20 is also calling on private creditors, working through the Institute of International Finance, to participate in the initiative “on comparable terms”.

AML / KYC

US Returns $300m of Misappropriated 1MDB Funds to Malaysia

15/04/2020

The funds includes proceeds from assets that Malaysia financier Jho Low allegedly bought with stolen 1MDB money before his $700mn forfeit last year.

Big Picture

Hedge Funds Have Sufficient Liquidity, Low Leverage: IOSCO

15/04/2020

Hedge funds were found to have sufficient portfolio liquidity to meet investor redemption demands under normal market conditions, based on end-September 2018 data.

Securities / Derivatives

Malaysia, Shenzhen Bourses Enter MoU on Cross-border Collaboration

15/04/2020

The MoU will facilitate the display and joint promotion of Bursa Malaysia and SZSE benchmark indices in each other’s markets.

Fintech / Regtech

Two Singapore Bodies Merge to Form New Blockchain Association

15/04/2020

The new industry body will be co-chaired by SFA president Chia Hock Lai and OneConnect Financial Technology’s APAC chief Ms Tan Bin Ru.

AML / KYC

CBIRC Simplifies Administrative Licensing for Trust Companies

15/04/2020

The licensing rules reflect the cancellation of a $1bn asset threshold previously required of foreign financial institutions that invest in domestic trust companies.

Enforcement

FSC Taiwan Probes Trading Controls at Hua Nan Securities

15/04/2020

Hua Nan Securities reportedly lost $158mn on derivative warrants in March as a result of poor internal controls.

Market Infrastructure

Cambodia: Securities Regulator to Undergo Digital Transformation

15/04/2020

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia will develop a digital reporting system and adopt technology requirements in its regulatory framework.

Securities / Derivatives

Thailand: SET Gets Powers to Respond to Market Disruptions

15/04/2020

In a market disruption event, the SET board now has the power to prohibit short selling and algorithmic trading on the spot, among other measures.