AML / KYC

Taiwan Enacts New Laws to Strengthen Anti-Fraud Defences

13/07/2024

The new laws increase the penalties for fraud that results in illegal gains and strengthens measures in the financial and telecom sectors.

Sanctions

FinCEN Issues New Alert on Financing of West Bank Violence

12/07/2024

The alert provides additional red flag indicators. New sanctions on three individuals and five entities also announced.

Sanctions

New Zealand Announces New Russia-related Sanctions

12/07/2024

The sanctions target Russian weapons manufacturers, as well as the supply of Iranian drones and North Korean weapons to Russia.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Crypto Lender Celsius Files Lawsuit Against Former Users

12/07/2024

Crypto lender Celsius said users who withdrew funds in the 90 days before its bankruptcy “unfairly benefitted at the expense of other account holders”.

Crypto / Digital Assets

ASX Commences Trading in Second Spot Bitcoin ETF

12/07/2024

The ETF is managed by DigitalX Limited in partnership with K2 Asset Management and Canadian firm 3iQ.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Lists First ETF Tracking China SOE Performance

12/07/2024

Hong Kong official Christopher Hui said ETF listing marks a new milestone for Hong Kong’s market.

AML / KYC

UK FCA to Introduce Criminal Checks in Authorisation Process

12/07/2024

Controllers and beneficial owners of FIs would be subject to criminal background checks when they apply for authorisation or registration.

Enforcement

HK AFRC: Claims Against PwC Not Supported by Evidence

11/07/2024

The AFRC said the evidence it gathered does not support three whistleblower allegations made in April against PwC.

Sanctions

US: Two Men Plead Guilty to Russia Export Control Violations

11/07/2024

The two men shipped US-manufactured dual-use electronics to Turkey, Hong Kong, India, China, and UAE before they were rerouted to Russia.