Manesh Samtani
Manesh Samtani is the Editor at Regulation Asia, where he leads the regional news desk from Hong Kong, directing coverage of critical regulatory developments impacting financial services across APAC. Manesh specialises in analysing how new rules and technologies are reshaping banking, capital markets, and the fight against financial crime, providing finance professionals, compliance leaders, and policymakers with the intelligence they need to navigate risk and understand the impact of regulatory change in the region. manesh@regulationasia.com
Articles by Manesh Samtani
Crypto / Digital Assets
SFC Considers Allowing Retail Access to Crypto, Starting with ETFs
01/11/2022
ETFs with crypto exposure through CME-listed BTC and ETH futures can be distributed to Hong Kong retail clients. The “professional investor only” requirement is under review.
Fintech / Regtech
Hong Kong FSTB Issues Policy Statement on Approach to Virtual Assets
31/10/2022
The SFC will be consulting on how retail investors may be given a “suitable degree of access” to virtual assets under Hong Kong’s new licensing regime.
Fintech / Regtech
EU Commission Proposes New Rules on Instant Payments
30/10/2022
Banks would be required to offer instant payments at the same cost as other credit transfers. Instant euro payments may later be expanded internationally.
Fintech / Regtech
HKMA Issues Regtech Guide for Sales and Suitability Practices
28/10/2022
The guide describes a solution to automating product due diligence and a governance tool for improving oversight of the sales advisory process.
Capital / Liquidity
MAS Proposes New Rules for Crypto Firms, Stablecoin Issuers
27/10/2022
Retail investors won’t be allowed leverage and will have to undergo a knowledge test. Stablecoin issuers will have strict rules on reserve assets and a S$1bn capital requirement.
Enforcement
Australia: Hackers Accessed Data of 4m Customers, Medibank Admits
26/10/2022
Medibank does not have cyber insurance, and is expected to face investor class actions, on top of lawsuits from angry customers and likely fines.
AML / KYC
FATF Blacklists Myanmar, Sidelines Russia, De-lists Pakistan
23/10/2022
Myanmar is on the FATF “blacklist” alongside Iran and North Korea. Pakistan was removed from the “grey list”.
Fintech / Regtech
MAS Proposes to Raise Caps Imposed on E-Wallets
21/10/2022
Besides raising the caps, MAS also proposes to introduce an exemption to allow for ‘white labelling’ of e-wallet accounts.
AML / KYC
Japan Authorities Warn Crypto Firms of Lazarus Group Threat
20/10/2022
An advisory calls on crypto firms to strengthen their security controls, and implement staff and user training programmes.
Crypto / Digital Assets
Hong Kong Leader Announces Measures to Revitalise City
20/10/2022
Lee’s administration will work to speed up the implementation of mutual market access arrangements with the mainland, among other measures.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
A daily selection of top stories from the Regulation Asia editorial team