Capital Adequacy

Basel May Dim Japan Megabank Shareholder Hopes for Dividend Payout

06/02/2014

Stricter capital rules under Basel III guidelines may curb the ability of Japan’s biggest banks to raise dividend payout to investors in the future.

Clearing & Post-Trade

Capital Markets Consultancy GreySpark Partners Expands into Australia

06/02/2014

Global capital markets consultancy GreySpark Partners has expanded its Asia-Pacific operations with the opening of a Sydney office which will also act as an advisory hub for OTC derivatives clearing.

Trading & Investment

IOSCO Issues Report on Risks and Benefits of Financial Return Crowd-Funding

06/02/2014

The Research Department of the International Organization of Securities Commissions has published a paper that highlights risks associated with the fast-growing crowd-funding industry.

Structural Regulation

Taiwan Regulator Eases Investment Rules for Offshore Banking Unit Business

06/02/2014

The Financial Supervisory Commission has lifted restrictions governing the types of investments available to nonresident investors, in a move that would boost the nation’s local asset management industry.

Structural Regulation

India Relaxes IPO Rules, Makes Grading Mechanism Voluntary

05/02/2014

The Securities and Board Exchange of India (SEBI) is relaxing listing rules to boost its dormant primary market.

Structural Regulation

Strong Financial Infrastructure Needed in Indonesia Ahead of ASEAN Integration, Regulator Says

04/02/2014

Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) says further work is needed to strengthen Indonesia’s financial infrastructure ahead of the integration of economies in ASEAN in 2015.

Structural Regulation

Australian Govt-Backed CMCRC Launches Market Design Review Tool ‘Dashboard’

04/02/2014

The Capital Markets Cooperative Research Centre has launched a market assessment tool, Market Quality Dashboard, designed to aid regulators oversee securities markets.

Operational Risk

Australian Regulator Releases Enhanced Guidance on Risk Management

04/02/2014

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has released a package that harmonises and enhances its current risk management requirements.

Cryptocurrency

Singapore’s First Bitcoin ATM to Arrive in March Amid Regulatory Warning

04/02/2014

Singaporeans will be able to swap their physical dollars for Bitcoins when the first ATM for the virtual currency lands next month.