Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Two More Iran-Linked Circumvention Networks

04/04/2025

A China-based motor manufacturer and a Hong Kong-based ship operator were included in the sanctions.

Capital / Liquidity

Taiwan Securities Firms Gain Flexibility to Establish Simplified Branches

03/04/2025

Simplified branches would primarily focus on non-brokerage services such as wealth management, account opening, and client advisory services

Capital / Liquidity

Initial Margin Rules for OTC Derivatives Take Effect in India

02/04/2025

The IM and VM rules were initially meant to come into force at the same time, but implementation of the IM rules was deferred last November.

Sanctions

US Sanctions China, Hong Kong Officials Over NSL Implementation

02/04/2025

Six officials were sanctioned for engaging in “actions or policies that threaten to further erode the autonomy of Hong Kong”.

AML / KYC

HKMA Seeking “System Reset” to Enhance Response to Financial Crime

02/04/2025

HKMA to work with banks on AI adoption action plans, develop a payment data analytics solution, and support greater information sharing.

AML / KYC

China Issues Draft AML Rules for Notary Offices for Consultation

31/03/2025

Notary offices were brought into scope of China’s AML laws through revisions passed in November 2024.

Capital / Liquidity

State-owned Chinese Banks Announce Capital Raising Plans

31/03/2025

China’s Ministry of Finance will issue CNY 500 billion in special treasury bonds to support the effort to replenish core tier-one capital

Crypto / Digital Assets

SFC Approves Launch of “World’s First” Tokenised Money Market ETF

29/03/2025

HashKey and Bosera said the new ETFs will provide investors an instrument that “balances traditional stability with the agility and flexibility of digital assets”.

ESG / Sustainability

Thai SEC Relaxes Rules to Allow Tokenisation of Carbon Credits

29/03/2025

Digital asset businesses can provide services for carbon credits, RECs, and carbon allowances in a “ready-to-use digital token format”