Sanctions

Australia Commences Review of Autonomous Sanctions Regime

30/01/2024

The review will examine how the autonomous sanctions framework could better support the government’s foreign policy objectives.

Crypto / Digital Assets

ESMA Consults on New Guidelines for MiCA Regime

30/01/2024

Third-country crypto firms will be prohibited from soliciting EU clients unless the client is the “exclusive initiator” of the crypto-asset service.

Market Infrastructure

Mainland, HK Can Mutually Recognise Court Judgments

30/01/2024

The new arrangement will make it easier to resolve civil and commercial disputes involving cross-border elements.

Sanctions

US, UK Target Iranian Assassinations Network With Sanctions

30/01/2024

The sanctioned individuals carried out “numerous acts of transnational repression including assassinations and kidnappings across multiple jurisdictions”.

Fintech / Regtech

CFTC Consults on AI Uses and Risks in Derivatives Markets

30/01/2024

Responses will inform analysis on whether the CFTC should issue guidance or regulations on the use of AI in derivatives markets.

China Bad Debt Managers Reported to be Merging Into CIC

30/01/2024

State media Xinhua published and then deleted a report saying Cinda, Orient and Great Wall would merge into CIC.

Sanctions

US Sanctions Iraqi Bank for Enabling Iran-backed Terrorist Activity

29/01/2024

US Treasury cut off Al-Huda Bank from the US financial system and sanctioned its owner for serving as a conduit for terrorist financing.

Enforcement

Former China Development Bank President Gets 20 Year Jail Sentence

29/01/2024

He Xingxiang was found guilty of taking bribes, providing bank guarantees illegally, issuing loans illegally, and concealing offshore bank deposits.

Hong Kong High Court Orders Evergrande to Liquidate

29/01/2024

In the ruling, the court noted that Evergrande has not been able to bring forward a concrete restructuring proposal after more than 18 months.