Market Infrastructure

ESMA Extends TAIFEX Recognition to Cover TWD NDFs

02/07/2024

ESMA recognised TAIFEX as a TC-CCP in December 2022 initially just for interest rate swaps. TWD non-deliverable forwards are now approved.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Proposes to Reduce Tick Sizes in Securities Market

02/07/2024

HKEX says the proposal will lower overall transaction costs, improve price discovery and boost liquidity.

Enforcement

US SEC’s Use of In-house Judges Ruled Unconstitutional

02/07/2024

The ruling curbs the SEC’s internal adjudication powers and is expected to also impact more than two dozen US agencies.

AML / KYC

FinCEN Proposes Rule to Enhance FIs’ AML/CFT Programmes

02/07/2024

The rule will explicitly require AML/CFT programmes to be “effective, risk-based, and reasonably designed” based on a risk assessment.

AML / KYC

US Sanctions Two Chinese Nationals for Assisting Sinaloa Cartel

01/07/2024

The sanctions include two China-based targets who helped launder illicit drug proceeds belonging to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.

Securities / Derivatives

ISDA Confirms Plans to Develop Industry Notices Hub

01/07/2024

ISDA received “strong support” for the plan and will now work with S&P Global Market Intelligence and Linklaters to build the platform.

Securities / Derivatives

Korea Extends Daily FX Trading Hours to 2am

01/07/2024

Onshore dollar-won trading now trades until 2am each day, compared to 3.30pm previously.

Securities / Derivatives

Euroclear, Clearstream Enable Omnibus Access to KTB Market

01/07/2024

Euroclear and Clearstream have launched direct links with Korea allowing global investors to trade Korean government bonds using omnibus accounts.

Sanctions

US Sanctions 3 Entities, 11 Vessels Over Iran’s ‘Nuclear Escalations’

01/07/2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Iran’s plans to further expand its nuclear programme “have no credible peaceful purpose”.