Crypto / Digital Assets

UK Publishes Response to Digital Pound Consultation

28/01/2024

No final decision has been made to pursue a digital pound, but work will continue to explore its feasibility and potential design choices.

Fintech / Regtech

Taiwan Won’t Reopen Applications for Online-only Insurers

27/01/2024

Applications submitted in 2022 were not approved. Following a “comprehensive assessment”, the FSC said it will not reopen applications.

Capital / Liquidity

China Expands Access to Bank Loans for Property Developers

27/01/2024

Developers can use bank loans pledged against commercial properties to repay other loans and bonds and cover operating expenses until end 2024.

AML / KYC

Japan FSA Proposes to Add Jurisdictions to Travel Rule

27/01/2024

Eight countries were added, including the UAE, India, Indonesia, the UK, Estonia, Nigeria, Bahrain, and Portugal.

Sanctions

US, UK Announce Sanctions on Four Houthi Officials

26/01/2024

Four officials were sanctions for attacks on ships that “threaten to disrupt international supply chains and the freedom of navigation”.

ESG / Sustainability

Taiwan to Launch Certification System for Sustainable Finance

26/01/2024

The certification is divided into two stages, the first for obtaining “basic abilities” and the second for “advanced abilities” in sustainable finance.

Market Infrastructure

China Consults on Expanding Foreign Access to Repo Market

26/01/2024

All foreign institutional investors that have already conducted spot trading in the interbank bond market will be allowed to participate in the repo market.

Crypto / Digital Assets

SFC Grants Licence Upgrade Allowing Tiger Brokers to Offer Crypto

26/01/2024

Tiger Brokers said it is one of the first mainstream online brokerage firms in Hong Kong to receive approval for such a licence upgrade.

Fintech / Regtech

US Fintech EquiLend Suffers Ransomware Attack

26/01/2024

Ransomware gang LockBit claimed responsibility for the attack, which has forced Wall Street banks to manual processing of certain securities lending transactions.