Market Infrastructure

China Pilots Greater FX Autonomy for Multinational Companies

14/03/2021

Under the pilot programme, certain multinational companies will be able to purchase foreign currencies at their discretion, rather than seeking authorisation for each transaction.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Launches New China, Taiwan Index Options Contracts

14/03/2021

The new options contracts aim to meet the trading and hedging needs of investors with exposures to large and mid-cap companies in China and Taiwan.

Market Infrastructure

SWIFT to Launch Enhanced Platform in November 2022

14/03/2021

The first release of the enhanced platform will go live in November 2022, supporting MT messaging and ISO 20022, while also allowing connections via APIs.

AML / KYC

APRA Ends Westpac Probe into Possible Banking Law Breaches

14/03/2021

The investigation did not find evidence of breaches of the Banking Act or the BEAR, according to APRA Deputy Chair John Lonsdale.

Fintech / Regtech

Bangladesh Cabinet Approves Bill on Payments Supervision

13/03/2021

The bill is aimed at providing additional safeguards against fraud, allowing Bangladesh Bank to monitor all electronic payments and penalise violations.

AML / KYC

Thailand to Launch Standard Form for Capital Market Access

13/03/2021

From 1 July, all intermediaries will use a standard form for account opening, providing investors easier access to stocks, debt instruments, mutual funds and derivatives.

AML / KYC

SEBI Rolls Out KYC Registry Extension to Legal Entities

13/03/2021

Regulated entities are directed to upload KYC data for accounts of legal entities to the Central KYC Registry.

Fintech / Regtech

Philippine SEC Launches New Online Payments System

13/03/2021

The ‘SEC Payment Portal’ allows for the payment of registration fees, penalties and other fees using  other cashless payment options.

AML / KYC

Bangladesh Officials Confirm Use of Bitcoin to Finance Terrorism

13/03/2021

Two arrested militants have reportedly confessed to receiving funds through Bitcoin from extremist groups since 2014.