Securities / Derivatives

GIFT City Exchanges to Permit Trading in International Stocks

11/08/2021

India INX and NSE IFSC are planning to launch trading in international stocks to provide new opportunities to retail investors.

Market Infrastructure

Australia Consults on Disciplinary Body for Financial Advisers

11/08/2021

The government is consulting on regulations to support the establishment of the single disciplinary body that will form part of the new regime for financial advisers.

Market Infrastructure

CSRC Accepts StanChart Application for Fully-owned China Brokerage

11/08/2021

The CSRC has accepted an application from Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong to establish a fully owned securities unit in the mainland.

AML / KYC

RBNZ Issues Formal Warning to Westpac for AML Failures

11/08/2021

Westpac failed to report almost 8000 corporate transactions to overseas recipients between July 2018 and February 2019, the RBNZ said.

Enforcement

Former HKEX Exec Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption Charges

11/08/2021

The former co-head of HKEX’s IPO-vetting team, Eugene Yeoh, was arrested in June 2019 for alleged bribery and misconduct in public office.

AML / KYC

North Korea Continues to Evade Sanctions – Report

10/08/2021

A draft report by a UN panel of experts says North Korea has continued to evade sanctions through open sea ship-to-ship transfers and other means.

ESG / Sustainability

Japan FSA Seeks Better Quality ESG, Climate Disclosures

10/08/2021

The FSA plans to establish a new framework for the certification of ESG-related products. It is also exploring mandatory climate risk disclosures.

Fintech / Regtech

Cambodia Explores Cross-border Transactions Using ‘Bakong’

10/08/2021

Cambodia launched its Bakong digital currency in October 2020. In the first half of 2021, 1.4 million transactions worth $500mn were recorded.

Myanmar Central Bank Restricts Foreign Hiring at Banks

10/08/2021

CBM approval is needed to hire foreign employees. Large banks are limited to 25 foreign employees; medium-sized banks to 15; and small banks to 8.