Sustainable Finance

China Allows Foreign Firms to Issue Social, Sustainability Bonds

15/11/2021

Overseas firms  can register to issue ‘panda bonds’ designated to fund social responsibility and sustainable development projects, NAFMII has announced.

Structural Regulation

S&P-IHS Deal Wins Regulatory Approval in the US

15/11/2021

To win approval for the $44bn combination, the companies agreed to sell three of IHS Markit’s price reporting agency businesses.

Trading & Investment

RBI Opens Direct Access to G-Secs Market for Retail Investors

14/11/2021

As of 2.30pm on Saturday, the new RBI Retail Direct Scheme had received over 12,000 registrations from retail investors, which was described as an “encouraging response”.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

CSRC Bars Brokers from Using ‘Influencers’ to Push Stocks

14/11/2021

Securities firms are prohibited from working with social media influencers who are not licensed. Providing investment recommendations via livestreaming is banned.

Tokenisation

Japanese Investors to Gain Access to Digital Securities via ADDX

14/11/2021

Through securities broker Tokai Tokyo, ADDX (formerly iSTOX) will offer Japanese investors access to tradeable security tokens backed by real estate and other assets.

Data Privacy

RBI Lifts Diners Club Restrictions Citing ‘Satisfactory Compliance’

14/11/2021

Restrictions prohibiting Diners Club from onboarding new domestic customers have been lifted. Similar restrictions are still in place for Amex and Mastercard.

Trading & Investment

RBI Permits FPIs to Buy Debt Issued by REITs, InvITs

13/11/2021

The move will help REITs and InvITs to raise debt at competitive rates, boost institutional investor participation, and improve unit holders’ risk-adjusted returns.

Cryptocurrency

Indonesia Religious Council Declares Crypto Assets Forbidden

12/11/2021

Crypto assets as a currency are considered haram, or banned, for Muslims, according to Indonesia’s National Ulema Council.

Emerging Prudential Risks

APRA Sets Out Macroprudential Policy Framework

12/11/2021

APRA has defined certain credit measures it can take to address systemic risks if needed, such as temporary lending limits and minimum lending standards.