Securities / Derivatives

SEBI Sets Position Limits for Gift City Rupee Derivatives

04/02/2020

Brokers, institutional investors and eligible foreign investors can hold gross open positions in rupee futures and options contracts up to $1bn or 15% of total open interest, whichever is higher.

AML / KYC

US Law Firms Launch New Class Actions Against Westpac

04/02/2020

The class actions seek damages for investors who lost money on Westpac ADRs following the civil penalty orders filed against the bank by AUSTRAC last November.

Fintech / Regtech

MAS Sandbox Graduate ‘iSTOX’ Approved for Full Launch

04/02/2020

The iSTOX platform connects buyers and sellers of digitised securities denominated in fiat currencies, catering to institutional and accredited investors in Singapore.

AML / KYC

OCBC Speeds Up Criminal Probes Through Automated System ‘POET’

03/02/2020

‘POET’ digitally receives and responds to investigation requests with minimal human intervention, allowing OCBC to respond to law enforcement requests within 1-2 working days.

Market Infrastructure

New Zealand Consults on Options to Increase FMA Funding

03/02/2020

Under the base case, the FMA needs an additional NZ$20mn in annual funding to respond to cost pressures brought on, in part, by the new financial advice regime.

Fintech / Regtech

Cambodia to Launch CBDC-based Payment System

03/02/2020

The new payment system expected to launch in the coming months has the support of 11 banks so far, and will operate using a quasi-CBDC known as ‘Bakong’.

Capital / Liquidity

BSP Proposes New Reporting Requirements for Conglomerate-run Banks

03/02/2020

Under draft rules, universal and commercial banks that are part of conglomerates will have to report information on all entities and assets in the conglomerate structure.

Big Picture

Coronavirus Spells More Trouble For Hong Kong Banks: S&P

03/02/2020

S&P Global Ratings says the new coronavirus outbreak will add to the challenges Hong Kong banks already face amid social unrest, US-China trade tensions, and China’s economic slowdown.

Market Infrastructure

ESMA Consults on New Standards for Third-Country Investment Firms

03/02/2020

The new Investment Firms Regulation (IFR) and Directive (IRD) will require third-country firms providing investment services and activities in the EU to report granular information to ESMA.