Crypto / Digital Assets

HKMA Commences wCBDC Project to Drive Tokenisation

07/03/2024

Project Ensemble could help to forge new financial market infrastructure that can bridge tokenised assets and money in transactions, the HKMA said.

Sanctions

EU to Sanction 35 Individuals Over Death of Alexei Navalny

07/03/2024

The EU’s sanctions will target the most number of individuals over Navalny’s death compared to those of its allies Australia, Canada, the UK and US.

Crypto / Digital Assets

US SEC Secures $275,000 Settlement from Crypto Firm ShapeShift

07/03/2024

SEC Commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda issued a joint statement expressing disagreement with the enforcement action.

Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Two More Vessels for Supporting Houthis

07/03/2024

The sanctions also target Hong Kong-based and Marshall Islands-based companies, which own the two vessels.

Capital / Liquidity

HK Banks Stop Offering Mortgage Loans for Speculation

07/03/2024

Many banks have stopped providing mortgages for confirmor transactions, due to signs that speculative interest is reemerging in the property market.

AML / KYC

FCA Gives Firms 6 Months to Address Financial Crime Concerns

07/03/2024

The regulator found controls that haven’t kept pace with business growth, firms that aren’t properly resourced, and failures to properly assess risks.

Market Infrastructure

Japan to Permanently Cease Euroyen TIBOR on 30 December

07/03/2024

ISDA confirmed that the announcement from JBA TIBOR Administration “constitutes an index cessation event”.

Fintech / Regtech

BSP to Enhance Reporting Rules for Money Services Businesses

06/03/2024

MSBs would also need to notify the BSP within five days of any event which may have a significant negative impact on their business or reputation.

Securities / Derivatives

Bursa Malaysia to Launch New Soyoil Futures on 18 March

06/03/2024

The new futures contract is made possible by a licensing agreement signed with the Dalian Commodity Exchange last year.